Qualitative and quantitative analysis (GC-MS) of methanol extract of Crataeva nurvala stem bark

Medicinal plants are precious source of bioactive compounds which possess a range of beneficial properties and serve as the major source of medicine for a large proportion of population across the world. Since ancient times, Crataeva nurvala has been used as a vital herb in Ayurvedic system of medicine. In Unani system of medicine the bark of C. nurvala is used as an appetite stimulant and as an agent to decrease the secretion of bile and phlegm. In the present study, the methanol extract of stem bark of C. nurvala was analysed for preliminary phytochemicals and the chemical profiling of the extract was illustrated using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the plant extract contained alkaloids, steroids and triterpenoids. The GC-MS analysis determined the presence of different compounds of biological importance. The identification and characterisation of the phytoconstituents in the extract could pave the way for the discovery of new drugs for various ailments