GC-MS Analysis of Bioactive Compounds in Methanolic Extracts of Stem and Seed Samples of Distimake spp.

The phytoconstituents of the plant are directly or indirectly linked to the medicinal and advantageous qualities of the genus and are essential to the plant's self-defense against a variety of biotic and abiotic challenges. Plant genera have been divided into subcategories depending on the presence of these compounds, such as medicinal, anti-inflammatory, anti-stomachic, anti-cancer, and anti-diarrhoeal. The Convolvulaceae family, which includes the genus Distimake formerly known as Merremia, is known for having high alkaloid content. The present investigation is centered on the identification and assessment of bioactive compounds from two distinct species in this genus—Merremia aegyptia and Merremia dissecta—using GC-MS analysis. Distimake aegyptius (L.) A.R. Simoes and Staples and Distimake dissectus (Jacq.) A.R. Simoes and Staples are the new names for these species. The highest peak area percentage was reported for 1,2,4 butane triol (26.84%)in D. aegyptius stem sample, 1,2- benzene dicarboxylic acid, dibutyl ester (48.17%) from D. aegyptius seed sample, 1,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy cyclohexane carboxylic acid (Quinic Acid) (20.35%) in D. dissectus stem sample and (3β)-Ergost-5-en-3-ol (Campesterol) (18.19%), stigmasta-5,22-dien-3-ol (19.23%), and gamma sitosterol (24.56%) in the D. dissectus seed sample making it a good source of phytosterols. These phytosterols possess antioxidant, anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypercholesterolemic, and antidiabetic properties. GC-MS results revealed that some common phytochemicals were found in both the Merremia specie