Hannah Alim Madziga1, Joy Gararawa Usman2, Umar Tanko Mamza3, Mbursa Chiroma1, Nubwa Daniel4, Olufunke Adebola Sodipo5
1Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
2Department of Biochemistry, Drug Development Section, National Veterinary Research Institute, Vom, Plateau State, Nigeria
3Department of Chemistry, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
4Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
5Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
*Address for Correspondence
Mbursa Chiroma
Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry,
University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Active compounds from plants have been shown to exert some biological activities and this has been the bedrock for modern medicine and synthetic drugs. Objective: Is to isolate the bioactive compounds present in the root of Moringa oleifera. Materials and Methods: The samples were identified and authenticated by a plant taxonomist. The samples were air-dried at room temperature for 7 days and then grounded into coarse form, kept in an air-tight container until required. Soxhlet extraction method was used with methanol of analytical grade. Fractions of compounds were separated using thin layer chromatography (TLC) and gas chromatography- mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for the detection of bioactive compounds. Results: The qualitative TLC analysis of the methanolic root extract of M. oleifera revealed the presence of seven (7) aglycans with Rf value of 0.83, 0.77, 0.71, 0.48, 0.60, 0.34 and 0.64.The fractions were subjected to preparative TLC and pooling of similar compounds was done to obtain compounds A and B from the first four bands and the last three bands respectively.The pooled compounds A were further subjected to Gas chromatography – Mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis for further separation, identification and elucidation. Nineteen (19) compounds were identified from the GC-MS analysis. Conclusion: Nineteen compounds have been isolated from the root of Moringa oleifera. Some of these compounds have known biological activities against microbes, cancer, oxidative stress, pain and inflammation. This confirms its use in traditional and herbal preparations for the treatment of various ailments.
Keywords: Thin layer chromatography, Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, bioactive compounds, Moringa oleifera
