PHYTOCHEMICAL AND GC-MS ANALYSIS OF BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS IN ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Rauvolfia vomitoria LEAVES

Herbal medicine has demonstrated great potential of therapeutic benefits in its contribution to modern medicine. Africa is endowed with many plants that can be used for medicinal purposes to which they have taken full advantage. Rauvolfia vomitoria is one of the medicinal plants that is widely distributed across the forests of Africa and Asia. Phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria leaves was carried out. The result indicated the presence of Tannins, Saponins, Steroids, Glycosides, Alkaloids, and Flavonoids. Further analysis of the Ethanolic extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria leaves was carried out using GC-MS. Among many compounds determined in the GC-MS analysis of the leaves extract were Methenamine, Benzofuran and Methyl urinate which have been reported to be anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial. The Ethanolic leave extract of Rauvolfia vomitoria therefore could contribute immensely to effective treatment of some infectious diseases.