Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Polyalthia longifolia (PL) holds local significance in India, celebrated for its rich heritage and medicinal properties. Its leaves and bark are used in essential oil production and in treating skin diseases, diabetes, hypertension, helminthiasis, and imbalances in vata and pitta. Phytochemical analysis of PL’s ethanolic leaf extract has revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, and tannins.Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify phytoconstituents in PL leaves through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), with potential applications in disease treatment.Materials and Methods: GC-MS techniques were employed to analyze phytoconstituents based on retention time and mass spectra, which were then verified against mass spectrometry libraries from PL leaf extracts. The analysis identified compounds such as caryophyllene, oxiranetetradecyl, 5-(7a-isoprenyl-4,5-dimethyl-octahydroinden-4-yl)-3-methyl-pent-2-en-1-ol, cedrandiol (8S,14), and gurjunenepoxide-(2).Conclusion: Further research on PL leaves could explore additional extraction and chromatographic techniques to isolate higher proportions of these and other phytoconstituents, with a focus on their ethnopharmacological activities. This would deepen the understanding of PL's potential in traditional and modern medicine.