GC-MS characterization of n-hexane soluble compounds of Cyperus rotundus L. rhizomes

Abstract

Cyperus rotundus L., popularly known as nutgrass or nagarmotha, is commonly used in the traditional medicine for inflammatory disorders. In the present study, n-hexane extract from rhizomes of C. rotundus (HCR) was analyzed for its constituents using GC-MS technique. The rhizomes were collected, washed, shade dried and powdered. N-hexane extract was prepared by cold percolation method and preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out. It was subjected to Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) for the identification of components thereon. Preliminary phytochemical screening of HCR revealed the presence of phenolics, sterols and terpenoids. GC-MS data indicates the presence of twenty seven low polar components in HCR. The major identified molecules include hentriacontane (7.15%), triacontane (6.12%), nonacosane (5%), octacosane (4.38%), octadecane (2.35%), hexadecane (2.32%), eicosane (1.56%), pentatriacontane (1.43%), 9-di-tert-butyl-1-oxaspiro(4,5)deca-6,9-diene-2,8-dione (1.37%), Heneicosane, 3-methyl- (1.27%), α-cyperone (1.25%), heptadecane (1.15%) and gamma-Sitosterol (1%). As some of these constituents are known to possess anticancer activity, HCR could be used as an active therapeutic ingredient.