Phytochemical Profile of Cola pachycarpa K. Schum. (Malvaceae) Leaf and Stem Ethanol Extracts

Background and Aim: Cola pachycarpa K. Schum. is a lesser-known member of the genus Cola called “Monkey kola” in the family Malvaceae. The leaf and fruit is used in the treatment and management of cancer in folklore medicine. The present study is carried out to explore the phytoconstituents present in the ethanolic extract of the leaf and stem of Cola pachycarpa by GC-MS analysis.

Methods: Leaf and stem were collected, identified, sliced, air-dried, pulverized, extracted with ethanol and concentrated using standard methods. The ethanolic extract of the extracts was used for the GC-MS analysis. QP2010SE Shimazu, Japan System GC-MS was used for the analysis. The compounds were identified by the gas chromatography coupled with the mass spectrometry. The molecular weight and structure of the compounds of test materials are ascertained by interpretation of the mass spectrum of GC-MS using the database of National Institute Standard and Technology (NIST).

Results: GC-MS analysis of the leaf and stem ethanol extracts of C. pachycarpa revealed the presence of 64 and 47 chemical constituents respectively which includes 1-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl (31.34%), undecanal, 2-methyl (4.00%), phenol, 2,6-dimethoxy (4.18%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (3.35%) and vitamin E (5.15%) and the most abundant in the stem extract were: 1,4-Benzodioxin-6-sulfonamide,N-[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl- (30.10%), .alpha.D-Galactopyranoside, methyl (12.56%), Phenethylamine,.alpha.-ethyl- (10.96%), 4-Methylpiperazine-2-carboxylic acid (5.78%) and Guanosine (3.86%).

Conclusion: The presence of various bioactive compounds may be responsible for the application of Cola pachycarpa in the treatment and management of various ailments in folklore medicine. However, in vitro and in vitro studies, isolation of individual phytoconstituents and their mechanism of action may proceed to find a novel drug or lead compound for use as medicine.