Phytochemical screening of the extract of the flaking bark of Commiphora Kerstingii and its GC-MS analysis.

Abstract

The crude methanol extract of Commiphora kerstingii, used traditionally for the treatment of tuberculosis was phytochemically screened. The phytoconstituents were qualitatively and quantitatively determined. The crude extract was partitioned into four fractions namely ethyl acetate, n-hexane, n-butanol and aqueous methanol soluble fractions. These solvent soluble fractions were also pytochemically screened. The crude extract and its fraction were subjected to thin layer chromatography analysis. The study revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones and flavonoids in the crude extract. Alkaloids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids were quantified. The distribution of phytoconstituents in the fractions was revealed. GC-MS analysis of the methanol soluble fraction revealed fifteen constituents. Two of these phytocompounds were found to be the cardiac glycoside, methyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside and anthraquinone, 6-acetyl-5-hydroxy-2, 7-dimethyl-1, 4-naphthoquinone.