GC-MS analysis of the methanolic extracts of Smilax china and Salix alba and their antioxidant activity

Abstract

Smilax china L. (family Smilacaceae) and Salix alba L. (family Salicaceae) are plants that have been traditionally used to treat various ailments in Indian and Chinese medicine. A quantitative estimation of the methanolic extractsof these plants was performed by GC-MS analysis to obtain insight into its phytoconstituents responsible for therapeuticaction. The antioxidant potential of the methanol extracts of Smilax china (MESC) and Salix alba (MESA) were assessedwith DPPH by using a UV spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 517 nm. The prevailing compounds found in MESCwere lactam sugars including 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-dihydroxy-3(2H)-furanon (1.40%), 1,5-anhydro-6-deoxyhexo-2,3-diulose(4.33%), and alpha-methyl-1-sorboside (1.80%); the two alkaloids found were 1,4-methane-4,4a,5,6,7,8,9,9a-octahydro10,10-dimethyl cyclohepta[d] pyridazine (0.87%) and 1,3,7-trimethyl-2,6-dioxopurine(0.54%); terpenes included deltacadinene (0.39%), terpineol, (+)-cedrol (22.13%), 3-thujanol (0.77%), and 9,10-dehydro-cycloisolongifolene (0.34%);fatty acids included cis-vaccenic acid (4.98%) and telfairic acid (1.10%); esters included 1,2,3-propanetriol diacetate(7.56%), 7-hexadecenoic acid, methyl ester (1.77%), eicosanoic acid, and methyl ester (0.95%); and glycerol included1,2,3-propanetriol (28.75%). The interesting compounds found in MESA were reducing sugars like D-allose (4.40%)and pyrogallol (10.48%), alkaloids like caffeine (63.49%), and esters like methyl octadecanoate (0.53%). Both fractionsrevealed considerable antioxidant activity. The reported existing phenolic compounds and terpenes are responsible forthe antioxidant activity of the plant extracts.