GC-MS profiling of Magnolia griffithii hook. f. & Thomson: an endangered plant species of Assam, North-east India

Magnolia griffithii Hook. f. and Thompson, belongs to the family Magnoliaceae, is an endemic and threatened plant species of Assam, North-east India. However, its population has declined rapidly from its natural habitat due to overexploitation of the plant species. Additionally, very little information is still available on the taxonomy, distribution pattern or microbial ecology of the said species. There is also very less information about the diversity, bioprospection and commercial values of the species. In the current investigation, the phytochemical constituents of the methanolic extract of M. griffithii leaves were analysed qualitatively using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Qualitative estimation of the biochemical metabolites was done and the following compounds were found viz. alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, lignin etc. Quantitative analysis revealed the existence of phenol content as 1411.5 mgg-1, flavonoid content as 50.65 mgg-1 and flavonol content as 24 mgg-1. Gas Chromatography - Mass Spectrometry analysis revealed the presence of 198 diverse compounds with varied biological activities, among which some significant compounds are reported as Safrole, Aciphyllene, Alloaromadendrene, Aminohippuric Acid, Androstan-17-One, 3,11-Bis [(Trimethylsilyl)Oxy]-,O-(Phenylmethyl) Oxim, Arsenous Acid, Tris(Trimethylsilyl) Ester Azulene, 1,2,3,3a,4,5,6,7-Octahydro-1,4-Dimethyl-7-(1-Methylethenyl), Caryophyllene, Curlone, Cyclobarbital, Cycloheptane, Bromo, Guaia-1(10),11-Dien, Isocaryophillene, Leucodrin, Linalool, Linalyl Acetate, Patchoulene , Andrographolide, Aromandendrene, Beta.-Bisabolene, Methane sulfonothioic Acid, S,S'-1,4-Butanediyl Ester, Neophytadiene, Pyrrolidin-2,5-Dione, Retinal, Santolina Triene, Silicic Acid, and Stigmasterol. Thus, the identification and characterisation of the phytochemicals in the extract favour the development of novel therapeutic agents.