GC-MS Analysis of n-hexane Extract of Stem Bark of Symplocos crataegoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don

Context: The stem barks of the plant Symplocos crataegoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don (syn. Symplocos paniculata (Thunb.) Miq.), Fam. Symplocaceae is extensively used in Indian medicine under the names of Lodhra/Patikalodhra. Mainly it is used to cure uterine complaints, vaginal and menstrual disorders. Aim: To investigate the phytochemicals from the n-hexane extract of the stem bark of Symplocos crataegoides Buch.-Ham. ex D. Don., using GC-MS analysis. Materials and Methods: Stem bark of S.crataegoides was extracted by Soxhlet extraction method using n-hexane. The extract was injected by splitless injection mode into the GC MS 5975 C Agilent equipped with a QP- 5000 (quadrupole) Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometer. Results: Identification of 57 compounds from n-hexane extract. Those compounds were identified by close matches with standard MS spectra and compared with NIST - 11 and WILEY library data. Undecane (7.51%) was found as major compound followed by Isopropyl myristate, Dodecane, 1,2,4-trimethyl-benzene, Octacosane, 2-methyl-decane, 2-ethyl-1,2-dimethyl-benzene, 1,2,3,5- tetramethyl-benzene etc., other constituents were found to be in traceable quantities. Conclusion: GC-MS analysis of S. crataegoides revealed certain interesting facts of presentation of various phytoconstituents in the stem bark. The presence of various phytoconstituents contributes to the medicinal activity of the plant.