GC-MS based Phytochemical Profiling and investigation of in vitro pharmacological activity of Croton sparsiflorus

Abstract

Phytochemicals are major group of compounds responsible for potential pharmacological activity of plant Croton sparsiflorus. It is a herbal plant that belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and is reported with diverse therapeutic properties. In the current study, different solvent extracts (Chloroform, Ethyl acetate, Ethanol and Distilled water) of Croton sparsiflorus were examined for phytochemical screening based on GC-MS analysis. Antioxidant activity of plant extracts was examined by DPPH, FRAP, H2O2 assay and anti-inflammatory was performed by in vitro protein denaturation assay. Phytochemical screening reported presence of phenols, terpenoids and fats in aqueous leaf extract and saponins were present in chloroform extract. GC-MS analysis reported presence of six compounds namely methyl palmitate, 9-octadecenoic acid (z)-, methyl ester, methyl stearate, methyl lignocerate pentacosane and tetratetracontane. These compounds were reported to have several biological and industrial applications. Overall antioxidant assays showed that aqueous leaf extract has shown significant comparable activity near to the standard drug ascorbic acid. In vitro anti-inflammatory activity results revealed that as compared to the standard aspirin drug, aqueous leaf extract showed less but appreciable activity. In future, Croton sparsiflorus plant can be used for treating oxidative stress and inflammation related disorders as it possesses potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.