GC-MS Analysis of the Essential Oil and Methanol Extract of the Seeds of Steganotaenia araliacea Hochst

Abstract

Background: Steganotaenia araliacea is a multipurpose plant and has wider applications in the folklore for the treatment of various ailments. Previously the presence of antileukemic lignan lactones and saponins was detected in the stem bark, root and leaf of Steganotaenia araliacea. Besides, the diuretic and antibacterial activities of the plant were reported. However, there has been no attempt to examine the constituents of the seeds of Steganotaenia araliacea. This paper reports the first such study of both the essential oil and methanol extract of the seeds of the plant. Methods: The seeds of the plant were shade dried, pounded and thus extracted using methanol. Besides, the essential oil of the seeds was collected using steam distillation. The components of the methanol extract were studied both by GC-MS and preliminary phytochemical studies; the essential oil was running on GC-MS for analysis. Results: The GC-MS analysis of the essential oil of the seeds identified the presence of α-linalool, α-pinene, m-cresol, p-menth-1-en-4-ol, p-menth-1-en-8-ol, myristicin and others. Besides, the methanol extract of the seeds showed the presence of falcarinol, apiol, scoparone, stigmasterol, myristicin etc. The preliminary phytochemical analysis of the methanol extract of the seeds confirms the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, coumarines, steroids, and phenols. Conclusion: This plant contains bioactive metabolites and thus can be used as an alternative and complementary medicine in treatment of different ailments. However, further studies on the bioactivity and toxicity of the plant should be done.