PHYTOCHEMICAL AND GAS CHROMATOGRAPHIC-MASS SPECTROMETRIC ANALYSIS OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF RAUVOLFIA SERPENTINA ROOT

Thulasi Sivaraman*, N. S. Sreedevi and S. Meenatchisundaram

ABSTRACT

Rauvolfia serpentina which is also known as Indian snakeroot or sarpagandha is a member of the family Apocynacea is an important medicinal plant in the pharmaceutical world due to the presence of its immense therapeutic properties. Qualitative analysis of root extracts of Rauvolfia serpentina indicates the presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, protein, coumarin and tannins. Ethanolic extract of Rauvolfia serpentina root extract was analyzed through GC-MS analysis. The compounds were identified by comparison of GC-MS spectrum with library searches which led to identification of twenty three compounds. The major constituents were found to be Phenol,2,4-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl) (30.97%) Benzoic acid, 4-ethoxy-, ethyl ester (1.25%), Eicosane (2.32%), 3-Heptadecanol (3.25%), Isopropyl myristate(1.96%), 3-Undecanol, 3-ethyl(1-46%), Heneicosane (1.86%), Hexadecanoic acid (3.12%), Hexadecanoic acid,Ethylester (1.67%), Cyclohexanol, 1-butyl(1.47%), Tetrapentacontane (1.71%), D-Ribose, 2-Deoxt-bis(Thioheptyl) (2.08%), Hexadecanoic acid, 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester (33.30%), Octadecane (1.17%), Diethylphthalate (2.07%), Octadecanoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (5.94%), Beta-Yohimbine(1.47%). Among the constituents Hexadecanoic acid 2-hydroxy-1-(hydroxymethyl) ethyl ester covers 33.30% peak area with retention time of 22.14.

Keywords: Rauvolfia serpentina, Phytochemicals, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.