Author(s): Ana Paola Echavarría, Haydelba D’Armas, Nubia Matute and Jaime Andrés Cano

Abstract: Vegetal extracts are mixes of secondary metabolites that exhibit a broad spectrum of pharmacology effects. The aim of this work was to identify the chemical constituents in ethanol extracts of eight plants from Ecuador and to relate it with biological activities reported for those compounds. Extracts were obtained from leaves of Coriandrum sativum, Cynara scolymus, Artemisia absinthium, Cnidoscolus chayamansa, Melissa officinalis, Moringa oleifera, Bougainvillea spectabilis, and Lippia citrodora by maceration with ethanol. Characterization of chemical composition was carried out by the technique of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Study showed that Ecuadorian plants are source of essential fatty acids and derivatives, benzenoids, and terpenoids such as phytosteroles and pentacyclic triterpenes. According to literature, almost all of constituents identified in the eight Ecuadorian plants have shown biological activity, such as antimicrobial and antitumor activities. This confirms that Ecuadorian plants could be important resources of bioactive compounds for treatment of illnesses such as cancer.