Phytochemical profiling of the bioactive principles of Alysicarpus glumaceus (Vahl) DC. aerial parts
Ferhat Khan, Mohammed Garba Magaji, Ibrahim Aguye, Isa M. Hussaini, Asmau N. Hamza, Amina Olorukooba, Muneer Sani, Idris Maje
Abstract
Background and Aims: Alysicarpus glumaceus is a plant used in Africa, Asia and some parts of the Arabian Peninsula with folkloric claims of having anti-tussive, anti-asthmatic, anti-diarrheal, abortifacient, anti-psychotic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and stimulatory activities. The aim of this study was to determine the phytoconstituents present in the methanol extract (ME) of Alysicarpus glumaceus and its fractions. Methods: Standard qualitative phytochemical screening methods such as thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were employed for the profiling of the plant and identification of the phytoconstituents. Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenes. GC-MS chromatogram showed a total of 57 peaks with 38 different compounds identified, out of which 15 of the compounds were fatty acids mainly 3-Quinolinecarboxylic acid, 6,8-difluoro-4-hydroxy-, ethyl ester; cis-Vaccenic acid; 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)- Octasiloxane, 1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7,9,9,11,11,13,13,15,15- hexadecamethyl-;1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazolidin-3-one; 2-Pentanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-; Hexadecanoic acid; Palmitoleic acid; 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid and 9,17-Octadecadienal. While FT-IR spectras indicated the presence of carbonyl, alcohol, carboxylic acid, and aliphatic functional groups. Additionally, ethyl acetate fraction showed the peak characteristics of the aromatic (=C-H)/olefinic (=C-H) functional group. Conclusion: The study showed that fatty acids were the major constituents of Alysicarpus glumaceus.