Analysis of the essential oil from the dried leaves of Euphorbia hirta Linn (Euphorbiaceae), a potential medication for asthma

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 120C (5 min) increased at 5C...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:African journal of biotechnology 2009-12, Vol.8 (24), p.7042-7050
Main Authors: Ogunlesi, M, Okiei, W, O, E, Osibote, A E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anopheles
Euphorbia hirta
Euphorbiaceae
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Summary: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 120C (5 min) increased at 5C/min to 320C 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.
ISSN:1684-5315
1684-5315