CHROMATOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF Ficus sur (capensis) (moraceae)

Abstract

Since the beginning of time, specific pathological illnesses have been treated using a well-known therapeutic approach known as phytomedicine, a branch of traditional medicine. In folklore medicine, Ficus capensis (Sims) G.Don. is frequently used for the treatment of a wide range of illnesses, including tumors, inflammation, cough, fever, diarrhea, wounds, and in the prevention of numerous health issues. The primary objective of this investigation is to ascertain the phytochemical constituents contained within the powdered leaf sample of ficus capensis. Furthermore, the study aims to identify these constituent compounds utilizing Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and to quantify the alkaloidal and steroidal components within the crude extract with HPLC. The study's methodology involved macerating the air-dried leaves into pulver form and then extracting the material using methanol. The plant's aqueous extract was then subjected to a thorough phytochemical investigation. GC-MS was used for chemical identification, while High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) was used for compound quantification. The findings demonstrated the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and phenols.Approximately 67 phytochemical components were detected from the GC MS data. Also the HPLC MS result had 11 of the phytochemical constituents. Ficus capensis's methanolic extract's phytochemical analysis and GC-MS profiling have unequivocally shown the presence of bioactive chemicals, which may be the source of the plant's claimed medicinal benefits.