Chemical composition of ethanol extract of Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc. using GC-MS spectroscopy

BACKGROUND Macrotyloma uniflorum Linn (Fabaceae) is a herbaceous plant with annual branches. It is used in kidney stones, inflamed joints, fever, musculoskeletal disorders, sinus wounds and localized abdominal tumors. It is reported as an antioxidant and nutraceutical (forage and food). GC-MS analysis of ethanol extract has led to identification of twenty-eight compounds from M. uniflorum by comparison of their retention indices and mass spectra fragmentation patterns with those stored on the GC-MS computer library. RESULTS The main constituents identified were mome inositol, ethyl alpha-d-glucopyranoside, n- hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid (9, 12-octadecadienoic acid), its esters and ethyl derivatives, Vitamin E, stigmasterol and 3-beta-stigmast-5-en-3-ol. CONCLUSIONS The extracts are rich in linoleic acid and its esters, mome inositol and ethyl alpha-d-glucopyranoside; therefore, this plant can be medicinally beneficial as an antioxidant, in diabetes and its related disorders.