CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND BIOACTIVE COMPONENTS ANALYSIS OF GRIFFONIA SIMPLICIFOLIA ROOT
Abstract
ABSTRACT
This research investigates the phytochemical composition and therapeutic potential of Griffonia simplicifolia, a West African medicinal plant renowned for its high concentration of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a precursor to serotonin. Using a solvent mixture of 65% distilled water and 35% ethanol, root extracts were obtained via maceration and analysed through Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The extraction yielded 2.46% crude extract from 1000 g of dried root material. GC-MS analysis identified ten compounds, with methyl benzoate comprising 83.32% of the total composition, followed by 4-methoxy-N-pivaloyl-aniline (4.82%) and hexamethyldisiloxane (1.42%). FTIR spectra revealed functional groups such as hydroxyl (O–H), carbonyl (C=O) and amine (C–N), indicating the presence of alcohols, phenols and esters. UV-Vis spectroscopy showed dominant absorption at 338 nm, suggesting the presence of highly conjugated aromatic systems typical of flavonoids and phenolic compounds. These findings support the traditional use of Griffonia simplicifolia in treating erectile dysfunction, mood disorders, insomnia and obesity and highlight its potential as a natural source of bioactive compounds for pharmaceutical development.
Keywords: Griffonia simplicifolia, phytochemical profiling FT-IR, erectile dysfunction, traditional medicine.
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