GC-MS and HPLC Profiling of Bioactive Constituents in the Ethyl Acetate Leaf Extract of Ageratum conyzoides and Their Pharmacological Activities

Abstract

Medicinal plants remain a valuable source of bioactive molecules with diverse pharmacological properties. This study investigated the phytochemical composition of the ethyl acetate leaf extract of Ageratum conyzoides using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) techniques. GC-MS profiling revealed forty-one compounds, with Precocene I (12.40%), 3-isobutylidene-6,7-dimethyl-3H-isobenzofuran-1-one (9.76%), caryophyllene (10.91%), ethanone, 1-(7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-benzopyran-6-yl) (12.20%), n-Hexadecanoic acid (7.72%) and squalene (6.89%) occurring in relatively high proportions. These compounds are known to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, indicating the therapeutic potential of the extract. HPLC analysis further confirmed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid constituents, with ferulic acid (249.36 mg/L), gallic acid (178.75 mg/L), tannic acid (152.52 mg/L), and caffeic acid (52.00 mg/L) being the most abundant, while minor flavonoids such as quercetin, kaempferol, apigenin, and rutin hydrate were detected in trace concentrations. The predominance of phenolic acids suggests a strong antioxidant potential, while the terpenoids and flavonoids contribute to the anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties attributed to the plant in traditional medicine. In conclusion, the combined GC–MS and HPLC fingerprinting provides a comprehensive insight into the phytochemical profile of A. conyzoides, supporting its ethnopharmacological applications and highlighting its promise as a source of therapeutic agents.