Chemical profiling of bioactive compounds in the methanolic extract of wild leaf and callus of Vitex negundo using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

Research background

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of the methanolic leaf extract of Vitex negundo has been previously demonstrated in a few studies. The present study has significance as it investigated the plant-based therapeutic agents in the medicinal plant Vitex negundo, determined their presence in extracts and provides the vision to formulate novel techniques for drug therapy.

Research motivation

This study identified dospan, butyric acid, benzene, 1-methoxy-4-(1-propenyl), n-sec-terpene-diester, tris-decandial, chlorpyrifos, methyl-cyclohexenyl-butanol, anhalonine, and other important active compounds. These substances are only found in calluses produced in-vitro. The results demonstrated that callus has more botanical properties than wild plants. The medicinal application of Vitex negundo for various diseases has been recognized due to the identification of various bioactive compounds, and the plant is recognized as an important botanical remedy in medical research and development.

Research objectives

The exact role of anhalonine in animals and plants has not been well-studied.

Research methods

In the present study, we report a GC-MS investigation of leaf extracts from wild plants and correlate the existence of components with those present in callus extracts. Various concentrations of growth regulators such 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), α-naphthaleneacetic acid, 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP), and di-phenylurea (DPU) were added to in-vitro callus and plant leaves and grown on MS medium. The maximum and rapid response for callogenesis with a green and friable callus was observed in the MS medium with BAP (2.0 mg/L) and 2,4-D (0.2 mg/mL) and DPU (2.0 mg/L) with 2,4-D (0.2 mg/L). The plant profile of Vitex negundo extracts underwent GC-MS analysis, from which 24, 10, and 14 bioactive compounds were detected from leaf, green callus, and white loose callus methanolic extracts, respectively.

Research results

Screening of the methanolic extracts of Vitex negundo revealed the presence of twenty-four, ten, and fourteen bioactive compounds in the wild-leaves, green, and white loose callus, respectively. Our research data confirmed that octadecadienoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and methyl ester were the key constituents in the methanolic extract of leaves and callus. Octadecadienoic acid was the predominant potential bioactive compound identified in all samples. The results of our research confirmed that the concentration of octadecadienoic acid in in-vitro conditions was twice that in in-vivo conditions. Hence, in the case of Vitex, we can use micro-propagated plants as a source of potent phyto-compounds for commercialization without destroying the wild plant population.

Research conclusions

A recent literature review showed that plant biomass with good amounts of methyl palmitate (a chemically modified derivative of hexadecanoic acid) is used in biodiesel production. In the present study, we found that in vitro grown callus is a good medium for the synthesis of methyl esters. Hence, we can consider this approach in the near future as a source of renewable fuel for our future energy demands. We also found the active sesquiterpenoid compound viridiflorol and anhalonine (naturally occurring alkaloid) in the in vitro-derived white loose callus extract of Vitex negundo. Viridiflorol showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-mycobacterium tuberculosis activity, while anhalonine may be used as a psychotropic drug in animals and is responsible for showing allelopathy in plants.

Research perspectives

Detailed research and further studies on the functions of anhalonine in different plant species are required to clarify the physiological significance of anhalonine in plants. Findings from our research show that Vitex negundo is a phyto-pharmaceutically important plant.