Unlocking the phytochemicals in unopened pitcher fluids of Nepenthes khasiana -a GC–MS study

Abstract

Background: The pitcher plant, Nepenthes khasiana is utilized by several indigenous groups in Meghalaya, India owing to its medicinal properties. Due to their therapeutic qualities, a pioneer work was undertaken where the GC–MS technique was used to detect and identify the phytochemical substances present in the unopened pitcher fluids of N. khasiana.

Materials and methods: Sample preparation and extraction of the methanol fraction of N. khasiana pitcher fluid were done following standard methods and exposed to GC–MS for phytochemical profiling.

Results: The GC–MS study revealed 22 compounds in total, each of which had different phytochemical properties. The metabolites present were coronavirus inhibitors, antioxidants, antimicrobials, cure urolithiasis, hypocholesterolemic, and can cure cancer. Lipinski’s Rule of 5 also depicted that 19 compounds of 22 have the potential to make active oral drugs for humans.

Conclusion: The metabolites present in pitcher fluids could be used in drug formulation in pharmacology. Even, the fluids can be used as raw medicine for poor people owing to their medicinal properties as depicted in GC–MS however, further research on quantitative and qualitative investigation, its clinical trial on animals along with cytotoxic study are required for a concrete conclusion.

Keywords

Pitcher plant / Nepenthes khasiana / GC–MS / Phytochemical properties / Lipinski’s rule of 5 / Coronavirus inhibitor

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