Abstract
BACKGROUND: Euphorbia hirta is a common roadside weed seen in many parts of India. The aim of the present study is to determine and isolate the bioactive compounds, by GC-MS analysis, which successively will then serve to develop "Phytotherapy" for various ailments among human beings using the Euphorbia hirta plant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Euphorbia hirta plant is sundried and powdered, and the powder is subjected to soxhlet extraction with ethanol as solvent. The crude extract obtained is subjected to gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Mass spectra were obtained over the scan range of m/z 40-600. The compounds were identified by comparison of their mass spectra with those of the NIST 05 L mass spectral library. RESULTS: More than 20 biologically active components were identified using GC-MS analysis. Anti-microbial effects are seen due to heneicosane, methyloctosane, tetracosane, and beta sitosterol. The Anti-inflammatory effect is attributed to n-Hexadeconoic acid, hexacosane, alpha-amyrin, and beta-amyrin. Extracts possess antioxidant effects due to the presence of vitamin E and squalene. CONCLUSION: The crude ethanolic extract of Euphorbia hirta possess analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-lipidemic effects. This herb can serve as a potential source of medicine.