GC-MS Analysis of Bioactives of Jatropha gossypifolia Linn. Leaves

Purpose: Jatropha gossypifolia Linn. (Family: Euphorbiaceae), is an ornamental ethnomedicinal plant. The leaves of J. gossypifolia L. has been used in treatment of wounds, sores, sprains, rashes, stomach ache, venereal diseases, hemorrhage and tooth infections. The main objective of present research was to carry out the phytochemical screening and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the leaves of J. gossypifolia L. to evaluate its various bioactive components. Methodology: The bioactive components of the petroleum ether (40-60˚C), chloroform, methanol and aqueous extracts of the leaves were qualitatively analyzed as per the standard methods. The bioactives of leaves of J. gossypifolia were extracted by ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) method using methanol as solvent and analyzed by GSMS method using Thermo scientific TSQ 8000 high resolution Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer. Findings: Maximum bioactive phytocomponents have been reported in methanol leaf extract of J. gossypifolia L. v.i.z. glycosides, phytosterols, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, fatty acids, tannins and phenolic compounds. GC-MS analysis separated and identified the presence of 34 phytocomponents in methanolic leaf extract of J. gossypifolia L. The major phytoconstituents identified were 1-Monolinoleoylglycerol trimethylsilyl ether (9.58%); 2, 4-heptadienal (E,E) (6.77%); carotene, 1,1’,2,2’-tetrahydro- 1,1’-dimethoxy (4.92%); ergosta-5,22-dien-3-ol, acetate (4.59%); lanosterol (31.8%) and stigmasterol (2.07%). Cardenolide and bufadienolide derivatives and various fatty acid derivatives like docosanoic acid, 1,2,3-propanetriyl ester; 9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, triolein etc. have been also reported in GC-MS analysis. Conclusion: Results of GCMS analysis justified the ethnomedicinal importance of the leaves of J. gossypifolia L. due to presence of various bioactive components belonging to different classes.