Phyto-constituents screening and GC-MS profile of hexane leaves extract of Polyathia longifolia

Abstract

Polyalthia longifolia, a member of the Annonaceae family, is a well-known ornamental and medicinal plant widely used in traditional medicine for its pharmacological properties. This study investigated the comparative phytochemical composition of Polyalthia longifolia leaves and stems bark extracts using ethanol and n-hexane as solvents, and further profiled the chemical constituents of the hexane leaves extract obtained via vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, and eugenols in both ethanol and hexane extracts of the leaves. Saponins, terpenoids, and flavonoids were detected in the ethanol leaves extract but absent in the hexane leaves extract, while phenolics was absent in the ethanol leaves extract. In the stem bark, glycosides and phenolics were present in both extracts, alkaloids and flavonoids were exclusive to the ethanol extract, and tannins were only found in the hexane extract. Notably, steroids were absent in both solvent extracts of the stem bark. GC-MS analysis of the hexane leaf extract identified several major components including decahydro-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylene-1H-Cycloprop[e]azulene(Retention time (Rt):8.158; 24.87%), 4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylene-Bicyclo[7.2.0]undec-4-ene (Rt: 7.650 ; 20.49%), diethyl phthalate (Rt: 9.844; 20.66%), and p-(1,2,2-trimethylcyclopentyl)-toluene (Rt: 8.313;14.50%). Minor components included farnesene (Rt: 8.492; 3.77%) among others. These findings provide a comparative insight into the distribution of phytochemicals in leaves and stem bark parts of P. longifolia and highlight the chemical profile of its non-polar hexane leaves extract, suggesting a basis for its potential medicinal properties.