Phytochemical and pharmacological profile with biogenetic correlation of bioactive phytoconstituents from the stems of Cordia sinensis Lam

Abstract

Present investigation reports first phytochemical profile of Cordia sinensis Lam. stems utilising GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. Moreover, antibacterial, antifungal, phytotoxic and insecticidal potential of stems was also evaluated. Altogether 33 (∼69%) compounds were identified. n-Hexadecanoic acid (15.62–35.55%), methyl hexadecanoate (11.22–29.49%), methyl octadecanoate (4.10–8.66%) and n-octadecanoic acid (4.24–6.64%), present in all the fractions were the major components identified. Overall 4 hydrocarbons, 7 fatty acids, 12 fatty acid esters, 3 phytosterols, 2 terpenes, a terpenoid and 4 aromatics were identified. It is important to note that methanolic mother extract showed moderate phytotoxic activity at higher dose only. However, GC-MS identifications revealed the presence of several phytoconstituents with reported bioactive potential. Moreover, biogenetic correlation of identified phytoconstituents with other parts of plant confirms their natural existence. Newly identified secondary metabolites of C. sinensis stems may also serve as the chemotaxonomic markers and can be correlated with the genus Cordia and Boraginaceae.