GC-MS Analysis of the Methanol Extract of Indigofera aspalathoides Vahl ex DC

Medicinal plants are the plants rich in secondary metabolites like alkaloids, glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, steroids etc. are used as potential sources of drugs. Standardization of herbal drug has done through the five main steps. They are organoleptic study, botanical study, physical analysis, chemical analysis and biological study. Chemical studies include qualitative, quantitative analysis, chromatographic study and spectroscopy studies. Gas Chromatography (GC) and Mass Spectroscopy (MS) have become important technique for secondary metabolite profiling in plants. Indigofera aspalathoides Vahl ex DC widely used in traditional medicines has tremendous medicinal potential owing to its biological functions. The methanol extract possesses hepatoprotective activity. Whole plant used to treat leprosy, cancer, oedema, abscess, and skin diseases. The GC-MS analysis has shown the presence of different phytochemical compounds in the methanolic extract of Indigofera aspalathoides . Over 23 compounds were identified. Sitosterol and stigmasterol were the most abundant of sterols identified in the sterol fraction.