Neuro-Steroid Compound Found by GC-MS Analysis of The Methanolic Extract of The Leaves of Aegle marmelos (L) Corr.

Abstract

Aegle marmelos (L) Corr. has been widely used in indigenous systems of Indian medicine due to its various medicinal properties. All parts of this plant like fruit, leaves, bark, stem, roots are used as medicine from time immemorial in India. Recent research by several workers have shown that this plant possesses various significant activities such as antifungal, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiprotozoal, antispermatogenic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, laxative, febrifuge, and expectorant, chemopreventive, antipyretic, ulcer healing, antigenotoxic and diuretic. Despite the presence of these chemical compounds this plant remains as one of the underutilized fruits of West Bengal. The objective of this study was to determine if there was any novel bio-active compound in Bael with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis method. As a result of our investigation using GC-MS analysis of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Aegle marmelos (L) Corr. the presence of a unique compound, a neuro-steroid, 3-hydroxy-pregnan-20-1 has been reported. It is a progesterone derivative. More research is needed to test the efficacy of this chemical compound, 3-hydroxy-pregnan-20-1 in vivo.