Terpenoids from Juniperus procera with hepatoprotective activity.

The petroleum ether fraction of Juniperus procera showed significant activity as hepatoprotective when investigated against carbon tetrachloride induced liver injury. The hepatoprotective activity was evaluated through the quantification of biochemical parameters and confirmed using histopathology analysis. Phytochemical investigation of the petroleum ether fraction utilizing different chromatographic techniques resulted in the isolation of six known diterpenoids namely: 4-epi-abietol (1), ferruginol (2), hinokiol (3), sugiol (4), Z-communic acid (5) and hinokiol-1-one 3β,12-dihydroxyabieta-8,11,13-triene-1-one) (6), in addition to the sesquiterpene 8α-acetoxyelemol (7). Both physical and spectral data were used for structure determination and all isolates were evaluated for their hepatoprotective activity. Compounds 1 and 4 were the most effective in reducing the elevated liver enzymes as indication for liver protection.