Phytochemical constituents of the leaves of Leucaena leucocephala from Malaysia

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to identify the phytochemical constituents of Leucaena leucocephala leaf extracts using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Methods: Hexane, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol leaves extract of L. leucocephala were analyzed using GC-MS, while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extract were matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. Results: GC-MS analysis of L. leucocephala leaves revealed the presence of 30 compounds and the major chemical constituents were Squalene (41.02%), Phytol (33.80%), 3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol (30.86%) and 3,7,11-Tridecatrienenitrile, 4,8,12-trimethyl (25.64%). Some of these compounds have been reported to possess various biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antiparasitic, insecticide, nematicide, pesticide, anti coronary, antiarthritic, antiandrogenic, hypocholesterolemic, cancer preventive, anti-cancer, analgesic, anesthetic, allergenic and etc. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicating that L. leucocephala leaves possess various potent bioactive compounds and is recommended as a plant of phytopharmaceutical importance.