Phytochemical composition and GC-MS analysis of Hymenodictyon orixense Mabb. leaves

Hymenodictyon orixense Mabb. (Rubiaceae); commonly known as Bridal Couch Tree, is used to treat ulcer, fever, inflammation, malaria, menstrual disorders and other ailments by ethnic communities of India. The present study aimed to document phytocompounds present in methanolic leaf extract using qualitative phytochemical screening and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis for the first time. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of protein, carbohydrate, tannin, phlobatannin, alkaloid, cardiac glycoside, phytosterol, terpenoid, saponin, phenol and flavonoid. In quantitative tests, the total phenolic and flavonoid contents were found to be 62.57±4.28 mg GAE/g and 14.89±0.95 mg QE/g, respectively. GC-MS approach exhibited presence of 46 phytocompounds as determined through fragmentation pattern, molecular weight, molecular formula, and phytocomponent structure. The major compounds identified were, 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (14.34%), Squalene (14.25%), β-sitosterol (11.37%), (z)-9-octadecenamide (9.25%), Phytol (6.92%) and Ergost-5-en-3-ol (4.59%) etc. The results exposed the rich phytochemical profile of H. orixense leaves suggesting its further in vitro, in vivo and in silico exploration for assessment of pharmacological activities and structural characterization of bioactive molecules.