GC-MS and HPLC Profiling of Bioactive Constituents in the Ethyl Acetate Leaf Extract of Ageratum conyzoides and Their Pharmacological Activities
Happiness Adaekwu Orlu
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port-Harcourt, P.M.B 5080, Nigeria.
Christopher Ejeomo
Department of Industrial Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Applied Science, Michael and Cecilia Ibru University, Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria.
Emmanuel Ogbomade Wellington
Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Imomotimi Timipa Ajoko *
Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.
Chioma C. Nwakanobi
Capzer Pharmaceutical, Lake Worth, Florida, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Medicinal plants remain a valuable source of bioactive molecules with diverse pharmacological properties. This study investigated the phytochemical composition of the ethyl acetate leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) techniques. GC-MS profiling revealed forty-one compounds, with Precocene I (12.40%), 3-isobutylidene-6,7-dimethyl-3H-isobenzofuran-1-one (9.76%), caryophyllene (10.91%), ethanone, 1-(7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-yl) (12.20%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (7.72%) and squalene (6.89%) occurring in relatively high proportions. These compounds are known to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, indicating the therapeutic potential of the extract. HPLC analysis further confirmed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid constituents, with ferulic acid (249.36 mg/L), gallic acid (178.75 mg/L), tannic acid (152.52 mg/L), and caffeic acid (52.00 mg/L) being the most abundant, while minor flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, and rutin hydrate were detected in trace concentrations. The predominance of phenolic acids suggests a strong antioxidant potential, while the terpenoids and flavonoids contribute to the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties attributed to the plant in traditional medicine. In conclusion, the combined GC–MS and HPLC fingerprinting provides a comprehensive insight into the phytochemical profile of A. conyzoides, supporting its ethnopharmacological applications and highlighting its promise as a source of therapeutic agents.
Keywords: Ageratum conyzoides, GC-MS, HPLC, bioactive compounds, phenolic acids, flavonoids