Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Profiling in Methanolic and Ethyl-acetate Root and Stem Extract of Corbichonia decumbens (Forssk.) Exell from Thar Desert of Rajasthan, India

Background Corbichonia decumbens (Forssk.) Exell (Molluginaceae), recently has moved to Lophiocarpaceae as per angiospermic plant group (APG) III system, is an annual or short-lived, dwarf, glabrous subshrub, prefers to grow on rocky places and on sand-stones in dry, hot areas of Rajasthan. This is the potential plant with medicinal properties. Vegetative organs under study show antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antimicrobial, and antinociception activity. Objective This study was carried out to identify the phytoconstituents present in the methanolic and ethyl-acetate extract of root and stem of C. decumbens by GC-MS analysis. Materials and Methods Powdered test samples were sequentially extracted with methanol and ethyl-acetate. The compounds obtained as a result of GC-MS screening were identified on the basis of their retention time, peak area and compared with that of literature available and by interpretation of mass spectra. Results GC-MS analysis of a methanolic extract of root detected mome-inositol (49.53%), guanosine (20.91%), and cis-vaccenic acid (9.25%). While ethyl-acetate extract of root analyzed pentadecanoic acid (17.91%), octadecanoic acid (15.01%) and cis-vaccenic acid (12.04%). Methanolic extract of stem detected mome-inositol (75.47%), pentadecanoic acid (6.04%), and 7-tetradecenal, (Z) (4.54%) while ethyl-acetate extract of stem revealed the presence of 1-heptacosanol (17.35%), hexadecanoic acid (17.17%), and octadecanal (12.64%). Conclusion The results suggest that C. decumbens (Forssk.) Exell is a plant of potential medicinal value, yielding various bioactive compounds that confirm the application of this plant as a plant-based drug in pharmacy-industry. SUMMARY Extraction is the most important step in the analysis of bioactive compounds present in botanical preparations. The strength of solvent plays a key role in this process, methanol as well as ethyl-acetate showed better response as far as extraction potency is concerned. Gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis is highly reliable, and the interpretations of the results are of high-quality. This tool is in particular useful for confirming of the presence of bioactive-substances. The results suggest that Corbichonia decumbens (Forssk.) Exell can be used for drug formulations against some major disorders, i.e., cancer, ulcer, tuberculosis, arthritis, etc.Abbreviations Used: GC-MS: Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, kPa: Kilopascal, RT: Retention time, MF: Molecular formula, MW: Molecular weight.