GC-MS Profiling and Secondary Metabolite Analysis of Selected Plant Extracts for Potential Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity

This study investigates the phytochemical composition and potential therapeutic applications of three medicinal plants Balanites aegyptiaca, Garcinia kola, and Ziziphus mauritiana commonly used in traditional medicine in Sokoto State, Nigeria, for the treatment of diabetes and other ailments. The research was conducted at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, where plant samples were collected, identified, and subjected to phytochemical analysis using methanol and aqueous extraction methods. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was employed to identify and quantify the secondary metabolites present in the extracts. The results revealed the presence of numerous bioactive compounds, including phenols, quinoline derivatives, and triazolo pyrimidines, which are known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. Balanites aegyptiaca exhibited significant amounts of Phenol,2-methoxy (77.57%), while Ziziphus mauritiana and Garcinia kola showed compounds such as E-8-Methyl-9-tetradecen-1-ol acetate and [1,2,4] Triazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidin-5-ol,7-methyl-6-nitro, respectively. The study highlights the potential of these plants in treating various diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and microbial infections, and underscores the importance of further pharmacological research to validate their traditional uses. The findings suggest that these plants could serve as valuable sources of natural compounds for developing new therapeutic agents.