GC-MS analysis and phytochemical screening of methanolic fruit extract of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad

Abstract

Citrullus colocynthis (L) Schrad commonly called indrayan or ghorumba is distributed in the desert areas globally. It is a valuable cucurbit having many pharmacological properties viz. anti-inflammatory, anti- diabetic, anti-analgesic, anti-epileptic, hair growth-promoting and abortifacient. In the present study, methanolic fruit extract was screened to identify the presence of active phytoconstituents. Photochemical screening of the extract was carried out for the presence of various phytochemicals as per standard methods. Phytoconstituents analysis was carried out by GC-MS (Thermo scientific) and spectrum of unknown phytoconstituents was compared with the phytoconstituents stored in NIST library of GC-MS apparatus. Phytochemical screening of fruit extract of CC has shown the presence of phenols, flavonoids, steroids and glycosides. GC-MS chromatogram of methanolic fruit extract of CC revealed 14 different peaks which confirmed the presence of 14 different phytoconstituents with their respective retention time (RT). Some of the identified components possess pharmacological actions as per information available in the literature. From the results, it is evident that CC contains various phytocomponents of phytopharmaceutical importance. The isolation of particular phytoconstituent and identifying their biological activities will definitely open new areas of investigation of their pharmacological potential.