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 Int J Pharm Bio Sci 2014 Oct; 5(4): (P) 258 - 262

Research Article Pharmacognosy

International Journal of Pharma and Bio Sciences ISSN

0975-6299

GC-MS ANALYSIS OF PHYTOCOMPONENTS IN THE METHANOLIC

EXTRACT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA (NEEM)
S. BALASUBRAMANIAN1, D.GANESH 2
AND SURYA NARAYANA VVS*3

1
Department of Life Sciences, Reva University, Bangalore, India.
2
Department of Applied Genetics, Indian Academy Degree College, Centre for Research and
Post Graduate Studies, Bangalore, India.
3
Department of Molecular Virology, IVRI, Bangalore, India.

ABSTRACT

Azadirachta indica, is locally called as “Neem” belongs to the family Meliaceae. “Neem”
is a medicinal herb traditionally used for the treatment of Diabetes, leprosy and
Respiratory diseases. The present study was carried out to identify the
phytocomponents present in the methanolic extract of the leaves of Azadirachta indica
by GC-MS analysis. From the GC-MS results five compounds were identified as major
constituents, they are Phytol, Linolenic acid, Homo-γ-linolenic acid, Palmitic acid and
Tridecylic acid.

KEY WORDS: GC-MS, Azadirachta indica, Leaves, Methanolic, Phytocomponents.

SURYA NARAYANA VVS

Department of Molecular Virology, IVRI, Bangalore, India.

*Corresponding author

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INTRODUCTION

Azadirachta indica (neem) belonging The filtrate was evaporated to dryness at 80oC
to Meliaceae family is very important medicinal and stored until further analysis.
plant which is traditionally used to treat different
diseases. Neem is a widely distributed in Preparation of stock solution
tropical and sub-tropical regions. The chemical The extracts were reconstituted in methanol.
constituents contain many biologically active Methanolic extracts (1 µl) were injected for GC-
compounds that can be extracted from neem, MS analysis.
including alkaloids, triterpenoids, lavonoids,
phenolic compounds, carotenoids, steroids and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
ketones. Traditionally, neem is most widely analysis
used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine system for The methanolic extract of the leaves of
the treatment of incurable diabetes [1-3]. Its Azadirachta indica was subjected to GC-MS
crude extracts from bark and leaves have been analysis on a GC- MS Clarus 500 Perkin Elmer
used in folk medicine to control diseases such system comprising a AOC- 20i autosampler
as leprosy, respiratory system and intestinal and gas chromatograph interfaced to a mass
helminthiasis [4]. In addition, recent studies spectrometer (GC-MS) instrument employing
have shown that neem possesses anti- the following conditions: Restek RtxR – 5, (30
inflammatory, antipyretic, antiarthritic meter X 0.25 mm) (5% diphenyl / 95% dimethyl
hypoglycemic, antibacterial, antigastric ulcer, polysiloxane), running in electron impact mode
antifungal, and antitumor activities [5-9].The at 70 eV; helium (99. 999%) was used as carrier
present communication deals with the GC-MS gas at a constant flow of 1ml/min and an
analysis of phytocomponents in the methanolic injection volume of 1.0 µl was employed(split
extract of the leaves of Azadirachta indica. ratio of 10:1); injector temperature 280 0C. The
oven temperature was programmed from 40°C
MATERIALS AND METHODS (isothermal for 5 min.), with an increase of 6 0C
/ min to 280 0C, then ending with an isothermal
Collection of the plant material for 15min at 280°C. Mass spectra were taken at
The leaves of Azadirachta indica were collected 70 eV; a 0.5 seconds of scan interval and
from GKVK, University of Agricultural Sciences. fragments from 40 to 550 Da. Total GC running
Bangalore-65, India. time was 60 minutes.

Extraction of Plant Material Identification of Compounds

Plant material (leaves, 20 Gms) was extracted Interpretation on mass spectrum GC-MS was
with 250 mL of methanol at 60oC for 8hrs in conducted using the database of National
Soxhlet extractor. The methanolic extracts were Institute of Standard and technology (NIST).The
filtered through Whatmann No. 1 filter paper. mass spectrum of the unknown component was
compared with the spectrum of the known
components stored in the NIST library.

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Figure 1
GC- MS chromatogram of the methanolic extract of the leaves of Azadirachta indica

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

GC-MS analysis shown antimicrobial activity against

GC-MS chromatogram of the methanolic extract Mycobacterium tuberculosis [13], [14] and
of Azadirachta indica showed five major peaks Staphylococcus aureus [15]. Linolenic acid is
(Figure-1) and have been identified after known for its potential antibacterial, antifungal
comparison of the mass spectra with NIST [16] anti arthritic and anti-inflammatory activities
library (Table-1), indicating the presence of five [17, 18]. Homo-γ-linolenic acid has gained
phytocomponents. From the results, it was importance due to its anti-inflammatory and
observed that presence of 3, 7, 11, 15- anti-cancer action, and also it has been used in
tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol (synonym: the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis [19]. The
Phytol), 9, 12, 15- Octadecatrienoic acid use of GLA as a benign, adjunctive therapy is
(synonym: Linolenic acid; α-Linolenic acid), 8, used because rheumatoid arthritis patients
11, 14-Eicosatrienoic acid (Synonym: Homo-γ- develop gastrointestinal complications from
linolenic acid), N-Hexadecanoic acid (synonym: routine non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and
Palmitic acid) and Tridecanoic acid (synonym: corticosteroid medications. The most recent
Tridecylic acid) were the major components in studies indicate that dietary GLA reduces the
the extract. The phytochemicals that contribute average medial layer thickness of the vessel
to the medicinal property of the plant leaves is wall and reduces the size of atherosclerotic
listed in Table. 1. Phytol is reported to have lesions in ApoE genetic knock-out mice [20].
antioxidant, antiallergic [10] antinociceptive and Palmitic acid is reported to possess antibacterial
anti-inflammatory activities [11]. Recent studies and cholesterolaemic effects [21-25]. In
have revealed that phytol is an excellent addition, palmitic acid also possessed
immunostimulant; it is superior to a number of significant cytotoxicity against the MCF-7, WRL-
commercial adjuvants in terms of long-term 68, CaCo2, Colo-320 DM cancer cell lines and
memory induction and activation of both innate hepatoprotection against galactosamine.
and acquired immunity [12]. Phytol has also

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Table 1
Chemical constituents and its Activity of some of the phytocomponents identified in the
methanolic extracts of the Leaves of Azadirachta indica by GC-MS.

Retention Name of the Molecular Molecular Activity**

Time Compounds Formula Weight
34.34 3, 7, 11,15- C20H40O 296.53 Cancer-Preventive Antimicrobial
tetramethyl-2- anti-inflammatory
hexadecen-1-ol anti-diuretic
Antioxidant
34.73 9,12,15- C18H30O2 278.4296 Antibacterial
Octadecatrienoic Antifungal
acid,(z,z,z)-
34.73 8,11,14- C20H34O2 306.482788 Astringent
Eicosatrienoic acid Anti-inflammatory Anticoagulant
31.99 N-Hexadecanoic C16H32O2 256.424103 Antioxidant
acid Nematicide
5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor
FLavor
Hemolytic
Hypercholesterolemic
Pesticide
Antialopecic
Antiandrogenic
Antifibrinolytic
31.99 Tridecanoic acid C13H26O2 214.344299 No activity reported
**Source: Dr. Duke’s phytochemical and ethnobotanical database (online database)

CONCLUSION

The presence of various bioactive compounds ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

justifies the uses of the neem leaves for
various ailments by local population. However,
We wish to acknowledge Dr. P. Shridhar
if individual phytochemical constituents are
Reddy, Department of Life Sciences, REVA
isolated from the plant and subjecting it to
University and Skanda Life sciences Pvt.
pharmacological activity will definitely give
Limited, Bangalore for their support.
fruitful results.

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