GC-MS Profiling of Bioactive Compounds in Methanol Extracts of Spices Used in Ibibio Postpartum Healthcare

Abstract

Piper nigrum and Xylopia aethiopica are commonly used in postpartum health practices among the Ibibio people of Nigeria due to their reputed medicinal properties. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and identify bioactive compounds present in the methanol extracts of these spices. Qualitative phytochemical screening using a standard procedure revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, flavonoids, and cardiac glycosides in both extracts. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis identified 21 compounds in Piper nigrum and 47 compounds in Xylopia aethiopica. Major constituents in Piper nigrum included α-bisabolol (4.50%) decahydro-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylene-, [1ar-(1aα,4aα,7β,7bα)]- (6.73%), 1,6,10-Dodecatrien-3-ol, 3,7,11-trimethyl- (7.84%), 4H-Pyran-4-one, 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl- (8.02%),  apiol (10.69%), 1H-Cycloprop[e]azulen-7-ol, decahydro-1,1,7-trimethyl-4-methylene-, [1ar-(1aα,4aα,7β,7bα)]- (6.73%) and naphthalene, decahydro-1,1-dimethyl- (31.89%) while prominent compounds in Xylopia aethiopica were bicyclo[3.1.1]heptan-3-ol, 6,6-dimethyl-2-methylene- (33.97%), 9-[((1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)amino]octahydro-2,5a-dimethyl-(11.11%), and 9-Octadecenoic acid (Z)-, methyl ester (8.76%). Several of these compounds are known for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities. These findings support the traditional use of these spices in postpartum care and provide a scientific basis for their continued therapeutic application among the Ibibio people.