Abstract:

Background and Aims: Alysicarpus glumaceus is a plant used in Africa, Asia and some parts of the Arabian Peninsula with folkloric claims of having anti-tussive, anti-asthmatic, anti-diarrheal, abortifacient, anti-psychotic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and stimulatory activities. The aim of this study was to determine the phytoconstituents present in the methanol extract (ME) of Alysicarpus glumaceus and its fractions. Methods: Standard qualitative phytochemical screening methods such as thin layer chromatography (TLC), gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy were employed for the profiling of the plant and identification of the phytoconstituents. Results: The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, tannins and terpenes. GC-MS chromatogram showed a total of 57 peaks with 38 different compounds identified, out of which 15 of the compounds were fatty acids mainly 3-Quinolinecarboxylic acid, 6,8-difluoro-4-hydroxy-, ethyl ester; cis-Vaccenic acid; 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, methyl ester, (Z,Z,Z)- Octasiloxane, 1,1,3,3,5,5,7,7,9,9,11,11,13,13,15,15- hexadecamethyl-; 1-methyl-4-phenyl-5-thioxo-1,2,4-triazolidin-3-one; 2-Pentanone, 4-hydroxy-4-methyl-; Hexadecanoic acid; Palmitoleic acid; 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid and 9,17-Octadecadienal. While FT-IR spectras indicated the presence of carbonyl, alcohol, carboxylic acid, and aliphatic functional groups. Additionally, ethyl acetate fraction showed the peak characteristics of the aromatic (=C-H)/olefinic (=C-H) functional group. Conclusion: The study showed that fatty acids were the major constituents of Alysicarpus glumaceus.

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