GC-MS ANALYSIS OF THE CHLOROFORM EXTRACT OF BARK OF TERMINALIA TRAVANCORENSIS WIGHT & ARN. (COMBRETACEAE)

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) studies play an important role in isolation and identification of phytocompounds. Since, the chemical composition of the plants usually determines its biological activity, phytochemicals of possible pharmaceutical importance can be subjected to a detailed analysis. The present study is concerned with the GC-MS analysis of chloroform extract of the bark of Terminalia travancorensis, an evergreen tree, endemic to the Western Ghats. Reports on the benefits and or medicinal properties of T. travancorensis are rare or even absent. In this context, the present study was carried out to determine the chemical constituents of the bark by GC-MS analysis. Twenty two components were identified by GC-MS analysis in the chloroform extract. The major components detected were Friedelan-3-one (15.93%), gamma-sitosterol (10.48%), alpha -octadecene (8.54%), n-Tetracosanol-1 (8.21%), Phenol, 2,4-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) (7.77%), 1-Nonadecene (7.49%), Heptacosanol (6.16%), 1-Heptadecene (5.25%) and stigmast-4-en-3-one (5.46 %). Friedelan-3-one, the major compound is a triterpenoid possessing antifeedant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial and anticandidal activities. The second major compound, gamma-sitosterol plays a vital role in the structure and dynamics of membranes, also involved in the embryonic growth of plants. The remaining compounds are also reported to have various biological activities.