Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) studies of fixed oil of leaf of Tetrapleura tetraptera Taub. (Mimosaceae)

Abstract

Tetrapleura tetraptera (Schum and Thonn) Taubert (Mimosaceae) also known as Aridan in Yoruba (Nigeria) has been used as an Ethno Pharmacological agent for the treatment of numerous diseases including inflammation, arthritis, hypertension and even as an antioxidant agent. The present study is aimed at investigating the bioactive components of fixed oil of leaf of T. tetraptera. Extraction of plant material was carried out using soxhlet apparatus to obtain fraction of n-hexane, isolation of fixed oil was carried out by open column chromatography and analysis of bioactive components of fixed oil was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The result of this study showed the presence of thirty one (31) compounds which are basically esters, alkanes, alkenes, terpenoids, fatty acids and vitamins. These compounds have reported pharmacological activities and thus can be used as pharmacological agent.