GC-MS analysis of chemical compounds from acetone extract of Echium amoenum Fisch.

Abstract

<strong>Background and objectives:</strong> Plants play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of diseases and can even prevent and reduce the adverse effects of conventional treatments. <em> Echium amoenum </em>Fisch is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants, and has long been used as a traditional herbal medicine for many diseases in Iran. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method can be an interesting tool for testing the amount of some active principles in herbs used in cosmetic, drugs, pharmaceutical or food industries. <strong>Methods:</strong> The flowers of <em>Echium amoenum </em>Fisch were collected, washed, shade dried, powdered and extracted with acetone using Soxhlet apparatus. The extract were concentrated and analyzed by GC-MS for the identification of chemical compounds present in the flowers of <em>Echium amoenum</em>. <strong>Results:</strong> The major compounds were pentacosane, tricosan, 2-pentanone-4-hydroxy-4-methyl and 3-hexene-2-one. <strong>Conclusion:</strong> Identification of these compounds in the plant serves as the basis in determining the possible health benefits of the plant leading to further biologic and pharmacologic studies.