Analysis of the essential oil from the dried leaves of Euphorbia hirta Linn (Euphorbiaceae), a potential medication for asthma
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Date
2009-10-23
Authors
Ofor, E.
Okiei, W.O.
Ogunlesi, M.
Osibote, E.A.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Biotechnology
Abstract
Essential oil was obtained from the dried leaves of Euphorbia hirta, commonly called asthma plant.Analysis of the oil was carried out on a combined gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer fitted with an HP-5 MS (5% phenylmethyl siloxane) column at a temperature programme of 120°C (5 min) increased at 5°C/min to 320°C and held for 5 min. The major components identified include 3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2-hexadecen-1-ol, 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecanone, hexadecanal, phytol and n-hexadecanoic acid adding up to 61.01%. Minor constituents include 2-butoxyethanol, tetradecane, phthalic acid, butyl tetradecyl ester, oleic acid, 13-heptadecyn-1-ol, 2-methyl-1-hexadecanol and 1,2-benzene dicarboxylic acid diisooctylester. The possible roles of the components in the treatment of asthma and other diseases are discussed. The oil may function as a repellent against Anopheles species and thus useful for malaria control
Description
Keywords
Euphorbia hirta , Asthma , Arthritis , Essential oil , Medicinal properties , Insect Repellent , GC-MS , Research Subject Categories::NATURAL SCIENCES::Chemistry::Analytical chemistry::Spectroscopy
Citation
Ogunlesi, M., Okiei, W., Ofor, E., & Osibote, A. E. (2009). Analysis of the essential oil from the dried leaves of Euphorbia hirta Linn (Euphorbiaceae), a potential medication for asthma. African Journal of Biotechnology, 8(24).