Abstract

Comparative Studies on the Fatty Acid Composition of Petroleum Ether Extract of Leaves and Flowers of Catharanthus Roseus available in Bangladesh by GC-MS Analysis

Author(s): Shahin Aziz, Koushik Saha, Nasim Sultana, Husna Parvin Nur, Mala Khan and Shamim Ahmed

Catharanthus roseus is one of the medicinally important plants belonging to the family of Appocyanaceae. It has been used extensively by ayurvedic practitioner to treat dermatitis, abscesses, eczema, psoriasis, sores, corns, ringworm, scabies, epilapsy, malaria, heart tonics and tumor. It has several commercially valuable secondary metabolites including the anticancer agent, vincristine, vinblastine and the hypertension drugs ajmalicine and serpentine. The fatty acid compositions of the petroleum ether extract of leaves and flowers of Catharanthus roseus grown in Bangaladesh were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer. 5 compounds were identified from the extract of leaves (24.18%) and 5 compounds were identified from extract of flowers (55.53%) of Catharanthus roseus. In the case of leaves the main fatty acid was methyl elaidate (8.57%) and in the case of flowers, it was methyl palmitate (13.13%), respectively.