Phytochemical Screening and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Bioactive Compounds Present in Stem Bark of Picralima nitida (stapf)

Abstract

Over the years, traditional societies and ethnic nationalities have engaged plants with medicinal properties for the treatment of a range of diseases without any scientific knowledge of it inherent bioactive compounds that are responsible for its medicinal and pharmacological potentials. The aim of this study is to screen for the presence of phytochemical constituents and to identify the bioactive compounds domicile in the stem bark of Picralima nitida by the use of Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry. The result of the quantitative investigation of the stem bark extract of P. nitida showed the presence of some phytochemical compounds such as saponins (3.22%), alkaloids (2.43%), flavonoids (6.05%) tannins (6.25%), oxalate (12.70%), phytate (2.87%), anthracene glycosides (2.14%) and cyanogenic glycosides (1.37%). Eleven (11) different bioactive compounds were recognized in the stem bark extract of P. nitida by Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry analysis. The percentage of major bioactive compounds were vitamin E (69.31%), Cis-Myrtanol (5.57%), Octadecanoic acid methyl ester (4.52%), 11-Octadecenoic acid methyl ester (4.42%), 9-Methyl-2-phenyl-9H-imidazo (1,2-a) benzimidazole (3.70%), Pentadecanoic acid 14-methyl- methylester (3.21%) and 7,9-Dimethyl-6H-Indolo (2,3-b) quinoxaline (3.11%). From these findings, it could be concluded that P. nitida stem bark is rich in various bioactive compounds which possess antioxidant, laxative and other diverse medicinal properties. Therefore, it can be recommended as a plant of phytomedicinal value.