Thorough Chemical Characterization of Boerhavia elegans: GC-MS and LC-MS Analysis of Leaf and Root Extracts

The phytochemical composition of Boerhavia elegans remains poorly understood, particularly in its leaves and roots, despite the plant's traditional medicinal use. This study addresses this gap by conducting a comprehensive chemical characterization using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Sequential Soxhlet extraction with hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol yielded extracts ranging from 0.86 to 12.07%, with methanol providing the highest recoveries (12.07% in leaves, 10.01% in roots). GC-MS analysis of leaf hexane extracts identified 12 compounds (86% of total content), dominated by fatty acids (palmitic and oleic acids, 28.9%) and steroids (38.5%), particularly stigmast-5-en-3-ol (27.0%). Ethyl acetate fractions were enriched in sterols (42.5%), including stigmasterol and campesterin. LC-MS profiling of methanol extracts revealed bioactive molecules, including lutein, echinulin, pheophorbide a, and pectolinarigenin. The prevalence of sterols, fatty acids, flavonoids, and chlorophyll derivatives with antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities underscores the pharmaceutical potential of Boerhavia elegans. These findings provide the first quantitative insight into the chemical diversity of Boerhavia elegans leaves and roots, establishing a foundation for its future use in medicinal and pharmaceutical applications.