Phytochemical profiling and quantification of bioactive constituents in lyophilized khat (Catha edulis Forsk) leaf extract from central Uganda

Abstract

<ns3:p> Background Phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides and volatile oils are only a few bioactive phytochemicals found in most plants including <ns3:italic>Catha edulis</ns3:italic> Forsk which is consumed daily in most regions of Uganda. Objective This study aimed to analyze and quantify the bioactive constituents in lyophilized leaf extract of <ns3:italic>Catha edulis</ns3:italic> (‘ <ns3:italic>Kasenge</ns3:italic> ’ variety) from central Uganda. Methods Total alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic and saponins contents were determined using spectrophotometric techniques. The bioactive compounds in the <ns3:italic>Catha edulis</ns3:italic> leaves were identified using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Result The total alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids and saponins contents were 0.0063 mg/g atropine equivalent, 0.099 mg/g gallic acid equivalent, 0.047 mg/g quercetin equivalent and saponins 0.69 mg/g diosgenin equivalent. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprinting detected thirty-four characteristic phytochemical peaks while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified twenty-one bioactive compounds including essential fatty acids and diterpenoids known for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties with 9,12,15-Octadecatrienoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester (Z, Z, Z) constituting 35.01%, hexadecanoic acid, ethyl ester and methyl ester accounting for over 21% of the composition, phytol (10.38%), butyl 9,12-octadecadienoate (7.58%) and 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol (3.22%). Conclusion Although the alkaloid content in the <ns3:italic>Kasenge</ns3:italic> khat variety was lower than that reported in khat from other regions, the phenolic and flavonoid concentrations were comparable, suggesting the potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of this variety. Further research is recommended to explore its pharmacological properties and optimize cultivation practices to enhance the yield of bioactive compound. </ns3:p>