ABSTRACT
Canna indica L. (Cannaceae) roots and rhizomes were reported to possess various biological properties like antimicrobial, anthelmintic potential and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibition. In our previous studies, they showed antidiabetic activity on normal rats and rats co-addicted with caffeine and nicotine. In the pursuit of the phytochemical/s responsible for these biological activities, present study was aimed at phytochemical evaluation of hydroalcoholic extract (HAE) of C. indica L. roots and rhizomes; including preliminary screening, thin layer chromatography, H1-NMR and HR-LC/MS-MS analysis. After preliminary detection of flavonoids, tannins and sterols, HAE was tested for presence of ß-sitosterol using TLC. H1-NMR spectrum of HAE revealed the presence of around 761 deshielded protons corresponding to different polar compounds. HR-LC/MS-MS analysis carried out at both positive and negative ion mode, indicated the presence of more than 90 compounds including short fragment of peptide. As per METLIN database, predicted major phytochemicals were 3'-hydroxytrimethoprim, 3,7-epoxycaryophyllan-6-one, swietenine, typhasterol, hexacosanedioic acid and 3ß, 6α,7α-trihydroxy-5ß-cholan-24-oic acid few of which, are biologically active.
