GC-MS studies on Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees - A medicinally important plant

The present study was aimed to examine the phytochemical constituents present in Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees. The preliminary phytochemical constituents were qualitatively analyzed using the method described by Brindha et al. For GC-MS analysis, 10 g powdered sample is extracted with 30 mL ethanol overnight and filtered in ashless filter paper with sodium sulphate (2 g) and the extract is concentrated to 1 mL by bubbling nitrogen into the solution. The compound detection employed the NIST Ver.2.0-Year 2005 library. The biological activities are based on Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases by Dr. Jim Duke of the Agricultural Research Service/USDA. The preliminary phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of various secondary metabolites like steroids, alkaloids, phenols, catechine, flavonoids, saponins and tannins. The GC-MS analysis determined the presence of thirteen different phytochemical compounds namely 1,1,3-triethoxy-Propane, Tetradecanoic acid, 3,7,11,15-tetramethly-2-hexadecen-1-ol, n-hexadecanoic acid, 9,12-octadecadienoyl chloride,(Z,Z)-, Phytol, 9,12-Octadecadienoic acid(Z,Z), 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid(Z,Z,Z), 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid,diisooctyl ester, Squalene, Retinoic acid methyl ester, Androstan-17-one,3-ethyl-3-hydroxy-,(5α) and β-sitosterol. The results of the present study enhance the traditional usage of A. paniculata which possess several known and unknown bioactive compounds. By isolating and identifying these bioactive compounds, new drugs can be formulated to treat various diseases.