Metabolic profiling of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and terpenoids in the extract from Vernonia cinerea leaf using LC-Q-TOF-MS

Abstract

The leaves of Vernonia cinerea are widely used for medicinal purposes. Although, different studies have reported on the biological activities of the plant extracts whereas the tentative assignment of secondary metabolites that include flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and terpenoids had not been reported. Thus, this study tentatively assigned the flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and terpenoids in the extract of V. cinerea leaves that are mainly responsible for the reported activities. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry quadrupole time of flight (LC-Q-TOF-MS) analysis was employed in the assignments. The results obtained showed that a total number of 221 compounds were tentatively assigned in the extract of V. cinerea leaves which include 64 flavonoids, 13 saponins, 36 alkaloids, and 108 terpenoids. These phytochemicals can further be isolated, purified, characterized, and quantified due to their importance.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Alkaloids
• Flavonoids
• Mass spectrometry
• Saponins
• Terpenoids
• Vernonia cinerea

Conflict of interest

The authors of this manuscript declare no conflict of interest whatsoever.

Additional information

Funding

The authors of this manuscript appreciate the financial support of Universiti Malaysia Pahang under the grant number RDU180329.