Phytochemical Screening and Isolation of Bioactive Compounds Including Methyl 3-(1H-indol-3-yl) propanoate from Iraqi Mesembryanthemum cordifolium

Abstract

The Aizoaceae family, consisting of over 1,800 species and 120 genera. It is primarily native to Southern Africa. Mesembryanthemum cordifolium, one of the most abundant species, is known for its multiple health benefits, including antioxidant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cytotoxic, antidepressant, and antihyperglycemic activities. This study is the first to examine the phytochemical components of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium cultivated in Iraq and to isolate an unidentified alkaloid compound. The plant was initially defatted using n-hexane for 24 hours. It was then extracted with 85% methanol through a Soxhlet apparatus until exhaustion. The crude extract was fractionated using solvents of varying polarities (petroleum ether, chloroform, and ethyl acetate) via a separatory funnel. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of steroids, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and saponins. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified several phytochemicals. In contrast, preparative layer chromatography (PLC) was used to isolate an unknown alkaloid, confirmed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Results indicated that Mesembryanthemum cordifolium from Iraq contains several bioactive compounds with potential medicinal properties. Stigmasterol was identified in the petroleum ether fraction, methyl 3-(1H-indol-3-yl) propanoate in the chloroform fraction, and resveratrol, caffeic acid, luteolin, apigenin, Pinoresinol, and ferulic acid in the ethyl acetate fraction. These findings suggest that further research into the therapeutic potential of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium is warranted due to its rich phytochemical composition.