Phytochemical profiling of aqueous extract of Gnetum africanum stem bark using Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

The aqueous extract of stem bark of Gnetum africanum, was subjected to phytochemical screening using gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In this study gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed the presence of remarkable natural bioactive components in methanol extract of Gnetum africanum. The major constituents are propofol, trimethylsilyl ether (9.72%), phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-(methoxymethyl)- (7.25), -4'-dimethylamino-2'-(trimethylsilyl) acetanilide (5.69%), 2,2,2-trifluoro-N-(3-(methylthio)phenyl)acetamide (5.48%), 4-(4-bromophenyl)pyridine (5.35%), 17.beta.-hydroxy-6-oxo-4,5-secoandrostan-4-oic acid methyl ester (5.17%), methaqualone (5.07%). The bioactive components in the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Gnetum africanum have favourable medicinal qualities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, properties and also serve as an anesthetic and a sedative used in treatment of and neurological disorders. The phytochemical profiling of aqueous extract of Gnetum africanum using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) revealed the presence of bioactive compounds with important therapeutic properties.