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Some quinonemethide triterpenes are known for their cytotoxicity, and the presence of these compounds has been reported in several Maytenus (Celastraceae) species, including Maytenus aquifolium Martius, one of the species known in Brazil as "espinheira santa". A quantitative HPLC-UV procedure was therefore developed with the purpose of devising a useful analytical method for evaluating the quality of "espinheira santa"-based phytomedicines. Quinonemethide triterpenes pristimerin and maitenin were quantified in hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts ("teas") prepared from the leaves and root bark of M. aquifolium. Analyses by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS), using the atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) interface, provided unequivocal confirmation of the presence of maitenin and pristimerin in M. aquifolium hydroalcoholic extracts, although these compounds were below detection limits in aqueous extracts.
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Nossack et al. (2004) studied this question.
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