Qualitative Phytochemical Screening and GC-MS Analysis of Boerhavia diffusa L

Abstract—Boerhavia diffusa L. is a plant which is extensively used in folk medicine and little attention has been given to the characterization of secondary metabolites other than rotenoids and alkaloids. The present study was carried out to identify the phytochemical components of the plant using ethanolic, chloroform, petroleum ether and water extracts and to analyse the volatile composition of ethanolic extract by using GC-MS. The phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, phlobatannins and phenolics. In GC MS, the mass spectrum of the unknown component was compared and interpreted with the spectrum of the known components stored in the National Institute Standard and Technology (NIST) library. The name, molecular weight and structure of the components of the test materials were ascertained. Out of the seventeen chemical constituents identified, the major chemical constituents are N,N'-Ethylenebis (2-[2-hydroxy phenyl] glycine, Tert-Butyl-4-hydroxy anisole, Propionic acid, pentadecanoic acid, silanamine, 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, and Benzenedicarboxylic acid having the properties like antiinflammatory, hypocholesterolemic, cancer preventive, hepatoprotective and antiarthritic activities. The presence of various bioactive compounds justifies the use of the plant for various ailments by traditional practitioners. However, isolation of individual phytochemical constituents and its pharmacological activity will definitely give fruitful results.