Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry phytochemical studies of ethanol leaf extract of Annona muricata

Folk medicine has taken an important place especially in de­veloping countries where limited health services are available. However, the absence of scientific evaluation of medicinal plants may cause serious adverse effects. The phytochemical composition of the ethanolic extracts of leaves of Annona muricata was analyzed using gas chromatog­raphy -mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The GC-MS analysis revealed thirty (30) constituents of which all were matched and identified. The major constituents were two compounds with percentage peak areas of 17.21% and 17.10%. Of the identified compounds, the outstanding in composition were 1,2-Benzisothiazol-3-amine, TBDMS Derivative, Propanamide, N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-1H-Indole with (peak area 17.21%), 6-Octadecenoic acid, (Z)-9-Octadecenoic acid, (E)-6-Octadecenoic acid (peak area 17.10), 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, 2-hydroxyethyl ester, Oleic Acid, 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (peak area 15.54%). The current study suggests that ethanolic extracts of leaves of Annona muricata are a potent therapeutic agent and paves the way for the development of several treatment regi­mens based on compounds from this extract.