Extraction, Isolation and Characterization of Phytoconstituents in Urginea wightii

The Urginea wightii is a well-established squill. The therapeutic activity is determined by the presence of pharmacological component present in the crude extract of Urginea wightii. To screen these active herbal components in a single plant material it requires a sophisticated, sensitive and a reliable analytical technique. As a preliminary screening study infrared spectrum provided information related to active functional groups of bulbous extract. This encouraging result evoked us for further accurate detailing of chemical components by advanced analytical techniques like liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The identified chemical constituents with possible molecular structures of pharmacological activity by LC-MS was found to be stigmasterol, hexadecanoic acid methyl ester and 1,3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-2- hexadecenol. Similarly, when 1H NMR was performed an interesting molecule (2,3-dihydro-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one) having potential capability in destroying free radicals (antioxidant) was obtained. The comprehensive and qualitative characterization of these bioactive compounds present in Urginea wightii can be a useful in treating vast disease conditions. This investigation paves the way to explore researchers for further use of Urginea wightii as sources of medicinally interesting compound.