Phytochemicals and volatile composition of Justicia carnea leaf ethanol extract

Abstract

The present study assessed the bioactive and volatile composition of Justicia carnea leaf ethanol extract. The quantitative phytochemical composition of the extracts was determined using gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID) while volatile components were determined using gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results obtained from the study showed that the extract is rich in a battery of pharmacologically beneficial alkaloids and flavonoid which include Spartein (9.17 μg/ml), Epihedrine (7.35 μg/ml), Narigenin (7.20 μg/ml), Phytate (6.86 μg/ml), Kaempferol (6.43 μg/ml), Dihydrocytisine (5.73 μg/ml), Sapogenin(4.42 μg/ml), Flavone (3.9 μg/ml), Anthocyanin (3.86 μg/ml), and Ribalinidine (3.37 μg/ml). Spartein, Epihedrine, Narigenin, Phytate, Kaempferol and Dihydrocytisine were the most abundant secondary metabolites of J. carnea leaf ethanol extract. GC-MS analysis identified 86 volatile bioactive compounds in the ethanolic extract of Justicia carnea leaf; these includes 1-Piperonyl-3,5-diamino-1,2,4-triazole, 1,2-Dipiperonyl-3-imino-1,2,4-triazine (3.70%), 1H-Cyclopenta[1,3]cyclopropa[1,2]benzene,octahydro-7-methyl-3-methylene-4-(1-methylethyl)-(3.74%), (E)-.beta.-Famesene,1,6,10-Dodecatriene (4.34%), Aromandendrene Bicyclo [7.2.0]undec-4-ene (6.27%), Cyclohexene, 3-(1,5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl)-6-methylene- (7.59%), 1-Formyl-1-piperonylhydrazine Benzene, isothiocyanato- (8.32%) and (E)-.beta.-Famesene, .beta.-Bisabolene (10.87%) as the major bioactive compounds. These compounds may contribute to the documented pharmacological activities of the plants, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.