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GC-MS analysis of leaf extracts of Terminalia macroptera and Dioclea reflexa, two medicinal plants used for the treatment of respiratory tract disorders
Authors: Theresa Ibibia Edewor, Nimotalai Olabisi Kazeem, Stephen Oluwagbemiga Owa
Number of views: 379
Objective: To analyze the phytochemicals that are present in two medicinal plants which are
used for the treatment of respiratory tract infections by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer.
Methods: The plant leaves were extracted with n-hexane and methanol separately. Both
extracts were analyzed for present phytochemicals using the method described by Harborne,
1985 while only methanol extracts were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometer
analysis.
Results: Phytochemical screening of the methanolic extracts of Terminalia macroptera (T.
macroptera) revealed the presence of glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and steroids
while that of Dioclea reflexa (D. reflexa) showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins
and steroids. The n-hexane extracts were devoid of the screened phytochemicals. Twelve
and twenty-five compounds were identified in the leaves of T. macroptera and D. reflexa
respectively. These compounds were fatty acids, fatty acid esters, other esters, heterocyclics and
phenolics. The most abundant compound in T. macroptera was benzenetriol (53.30%) while
the predominant compounds in D. reflexa were dodecanoic acid, methyl ester (15.31%), 5, 5,
8a-trimethyl-3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8a-hexahydro-2H-chromene (9.73%), 10-octadecenoic acid, methyl
ester and 2-hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester (8.95%). Benzofuran, 2, 3-dihydro, 3, 7, 11, 15-
tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol and hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester were common in both plant
extracts. The antimicrobial properties of the leaves of these plants could be responsible for their
use in the treatment of respiratory tract infections.
Conclusions: Some of the identified phytochemicals in the plant leaves are responsible for its
use in the treatment of respiratory tract infections.