Phytochemical characterization of Alcea rosea seeds using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: A preliminary investigation of bioactive compounds

The growing demand for natural therapeutic agents has intensified interest in plant-based compounds with potential pharmacological applications. Alcea rosea, traditionally employed in various ethnomedical systems, particularly for inflammatory and respiratory conditions, remains underexplored at the phytochemical level, especially concerning its seeds. The current study aims to bridge this gap by evaluating the chemical constituents of A. rosea seeds and assessing their potential bioactive significance using advanced analytical techniques. Ethyl acetate extraction was chosen for its efficiency in isolating semi-polar compounds, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify the chemical content of the extract. This method enabled the detection of over 50 distinct molecular entities, among which 15 were identified as major components based on peak abundance and database matching using the National Institute of Standards and Technology mass spectral library and the Wiley Registry of Mass Spectral Data. The chemical landscape of the extract included a range of fatty acids, esters, and complex organic molecules, many of which are known to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties. Notable among these were linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid compounds, which are widely recognized for their contributions to cellular signaling, oxidative stress modulation, and tumor suppression. The identification of bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and A13-09519 (chemically ethyl N-methylcarbamate) also points to lesser-known or unconventional phytoconstituents that may hold biomedical interest, although their origin and activity warrant further validation. This investigation reveals A. rosea seeds as a chemically rich botanical source with a diverse array of compounds that could support therapeutic applications. The study sets a precedent for future bioactivity-driven analyses and highlights the value of integrating traditional knowledge with modern phytochemical screening to uncover novel drug leads from botanical sources.