Isolation and Identification of γ- Sitosterol by GC-MS from the Leaves of Girardinia heterophylla (Decne)

Girardinia heterophylla, known as Himalayan Nettle commonly grows in temperate and subtropical Himalayas. Plant leaves were collected in winter season and analyzed using appropriate chemical methods and the biochemical con- stituents were ascertained. An unknown compound was isolated from leaves of the plant. After being collected, analyzed by GC-MS and compared with NIST standard chart library, it was declared to be � -sitosterol, an epimer of � -sitosterol. � - sitosterol has been reported for the first time in Girardinia heterophylla and has potential to be used as an antidiabetic ow- ing to its remarkable medicinal properties.