Abstract

GC–MS ANALYSIS OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN THE ETHANOLIC ROOT EXTRACT OF UNCARIA TOMENTOSA (WILLD.) DC

Khushboo Lokhande*, Arun Kakkar

Abstract

Medicinal plants play a vital role in the primary healthcare systems of developing nations, and their therapeutic value is largely determined by the biochemical constituents present in specific plant parts. Uncaria tomentosa (Willd.) DC. is an important medicinal plant known for its diverse bioactive compounds used in pharmaceutical applications. The present study aims to identify bioactive constituents present in the ethanolic root extract of U. tomentosa using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). Fifteen compounds were identified in the ethanolic root extract. The major constituents detected were benzoic acid (68.50%), benzoic acid ethyl ester (6.68%), and 2-(4,5-dihydro-3-methyl- 5-oxo-1-phenyl-4-pyrazolyl)-5-nitrobenzoic acid (5.39%). The identified compounds are associated with several biological activities such as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, anticancer, and hypoglycemic effects. These findings suggest that the roots of U. tomentosa are a potential source of pharmacologically important compounds.

Keywords: Uncaria tomentosa, phytochemicals, root extract, ethanol, GC–MS analysis.