Metabolomics:Open Access

Comparative Phytochemical Profiling of Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Using GC-MS Method Coupled with Multivariate Statistical Approaches

Abstract

Dey P, Dutta S and Chaudhuri TK

Clerodendrum infortunatum L. is extensively used in traditional and folklore medicine. It has also been recognized in Ayurveda and Unani medicinal systems. Different pharmacological properties of C. infortunatum have already been reported. However, the phytochemical constituents remained unknown. Thus, the present study was performed to investigate and compare the phytochemical composition of the major parts of C. infortunatum using gas chromatographymass spectrometry. GC-MS is one of the most reliable biophysical method for its specificity and repeatability, was utilized for the phytochemical profiling C. infortunatum leaf, stem, root, flower and seed. The phytochemical profiles were further compared using multivariate statistical techniques to evaluate the extent of analogy between the phytochemical profiles. Several bioactive chemical species such as limonene, phytol, catechol, hexadecanoic acid, squalene, dodecanoic acid, vitamin E, hydroxymethylfurfural, stigmasterol, etc. were identified in different parts of C. infortunatum. Derivatives of pharmacological supplements such as cinnamic acid, guaiacol, eugenol, vanillic acid, vitamin D etc. were also detected. Moreover, a wide range of phenolics and phenolic acid derivatives were identified in C. infortunatum, which are known to be primarily responsible for bioactivities of herbal medicines. Principal component analysis coupled with hierarchical clustering revealed the extent of correlation and divergence among the major parts of C. infortunatum in terms of phytochemical fingerprints. Flower, leaf and root demonstrated equivalent phytochemical fingerprints.The results provided insights into the presence of several pharmacologically active constituents. The pattern of phytochemical correlation between leaf, stem, root, flower and seed was established as well.