Abstract

Bombax costatum is a member of the family Bombacaceae and is commonly called red-flowered silk-cotton tree or red kapok tree. In Nigeria, it is locally known as Kurya or Gujjiya in Hausa, Joohi or Kuruhi in Fulfulde and Kutupkaci in Nupe. Phytochemical studies conducted on the chloroform fraction from the methanol crude extract lead to the isolation of a pentacyclictriterpenoid of the Lupane group (lupeol). The isolation and purification of the compound was carried out by silica gel column chromatographic technique and the structure was elucidated by spectroscopic methods including IR, 1D and 2D NMR. This is the first report of the isolation of this compound from the root bark of this plant. Thus, the isolated compound may be responsible for the various medicinal action of the plant in the management of various diseases.