PHYTOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SIDA RHOMBIFOLIA SSP. RETUSA (L.) BROSS. : A COMPREHENSIVE GC/MS ANALYSIS

Abstract

Sida rhombifolia ssp. retusa, commonly known as "bala," is a traditional medicinal plant recognized for its diverse therapeutic properties. This paper explores the geographical variations in the phytochemical composition of Sida rhombifolia ssp. retusa across five distinct locations—Kurukshetra, Panipat, Meerut, Haridwar and Saharanpur of India. The study employs Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to analyze of leaf samples, aiming to elucidate variations in phytochemical constituents and their potential impact on the plant's medicinal efficacy. Our findings reveal significant diversity in the secondary metabolite profiles, influenced by environmental factors of different regions. The analysis revealed a total of 76  Phytochemicals  with substantial differences in the abundance and types of bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, terpenoids, halogenated hydrocarbons tocopherols, sterols, fatty acids, alkanes, and hydrocarbons across these regions  including 28 in Kurukshetra, 8 in Panipat, 5 in Saharanpur, 4 each in Meerut and Haridwar both.  Statistical analyses, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA), highlight clustering based on geographical origin. Besides, environmental parameters offer preliminary insights, suggesting a connection between compound abundance and specific regional conditions. These variations have direct implications for the medicinal properties of Sida rhombifolia ssp. retusa, indicating the need for region-specific considerations in traditional medicine.