Phytochemical screening of fadogia ancylantha using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-electrospray ionization (gc-esi-qqq-ms/ms)

Ethnobotanical plants contain phytochemicals with antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. One of the ethnobotanical plants used by traditional healers in Tanzania to boost the immune system, tone muscles, and strengthen bones is Fadogia ancylantha, commonly known as "Makoni tea bush" in English. This study aimed to identify Fadogia ancylantha's phytochemicals in leaves, stems, and root barks. Phytochemicals were extracted using n-hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol solvents. Gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology Library (NIST) were used to determine phytochemicals' chemical composition and identity, respectively. Twenty-eight phytochemicals were identified from the leaves, 38 from the stem, and 30 from the roots. The order of number of compounds identified was found to be methanol solvent>DCM solvent >hexane solvent in all samples (leaves, stems, and roots). The screening of phytochemicals revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolics, terpenoids, and plant sterols. These compounds were reported to have anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities. The results show that Fadogia ancylantha is a rich source of phytochemicals with diverse biological activities.