Abstract

Harungana madagascariensis is a plant abundant in several phytochemicals that can be extracted, purified, and packaged for the aim of promoting optimum health of humans. This medicinal plant is dominant in Africa was analyzed to identify its Phytochemical constituents and functional groups using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The aqueous-methanol fraction was obtained using standard extraction methods. The fraction was subjected to phytochemical analysis, which revealed the presence of diverse secondary metabolites including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and terpenoids, phenolic compounds, which are known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectral performed revealed the presence of characteristic functional groups such as OH stretch in phenol and alcohol, -CH stretch in alkenes, C=O -C-O stretch in esters, the presence of these functional groups provides strong evidence of the therapeutic potential of the plant.
The Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) profiling elucidates the presence of key metabolites and fatty acid derivatives such as Tri-hydroxy-phenylalanine, Quinolinone, 9-octadecenamide, n-Hexadecanoic acid, Linoleic acid ethyl ester, 9, 12- octadecanoic acid, Butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, methyl ester, hexadecanoic acid and Propanoic acid. These compounds are known to possess diverse pharmacological properties. The combined use of these spectrometric techniques provides complementary insight into the biochemical make up of H. madagascariensis leaves. The findings support the ethnomedicinal use of the plant and offer a scientific basis for its therapeutic potential. Further isolation and structural elucidation of the key metabolites are recommended to explore their pharmacological efficacy and potential for drug development.