GC-MS Analysis and Phytochemical Screening of Indigofera tinctoria (Linn.) Leaf Extract Characterizing its Medicinal Use

Indigofera tinctoria (Linn.), a perennial shrub belongs to the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae) is well known in Indian system of medicines for its traditional uses. The present study was carried to find out the possible bioactive components in the leaves of this plant in ethanol extract by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and the therapeutic uses of each compound as per PASS and other database. The mass spectra of the extract found compounds that were matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST version 5.7.1) library database. The GC-MS study observed different peaks as per retention time and then those peaks were analysed determining presence of 26 phytochemical compounds. The qualitative phytochemical screening done by routine laboratory methods also indicated presence of these bioactive compound groups like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and phenols, saponins, glycosides and terpenoids. These 26 compounds are understood to have different therapeutic activities as per in-silico databases, e.g. 2-Acetylamino-3-hydroxy-propionoic acid (glutamic acid) - used as Anti-diarrheal, Antiviral, Antipyretic, Protein synthesis inhibitor, Antidiabetic, Non-steroidal, Anti-inflammatory agent, Antipsoriatic, Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antineoplastic (sarcoma), Antiparasitic, Antibiotic Aminoglycoside-like, Antiseborrheic, Anticataract, Antithyroid, Anticarcinogenic, Antileprosy, Hair growth stimulant, Lipoprotein lipase inhibitor, Dermatologic, Testosterone, Antituberculosic, Antirickettsial, Antianemic, etc. activities. Hence, Indigofera tinctoria is an excellent source of phytocompounds, which help to heal various diseases and health complications in human beings. The use of this plant in traditional methods for the treatment of such diseases appears scientifically relevant as per the therapeutic activity data of its bioactive compounds.