Abstract

This study was aimed at identifying and quantifying the biologically active components present in the methanol extracts of the stem bark, leaves and roots of the plant. The stem bark, leaves and roots of the plant were pulverized, extracted with methanol and the biologically active components were evaluated using Gas chromatography - mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The mass spectrums of the bioactive compounds that were present in the methanol extracts of the stem bark, leaves and roots of the plant were matched with the database of known compounds of National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for identification. The results obtained revealed the presence of 17, 16, and 10 bioactive compounds in the methanol extracts of the stem bark, leaves, and roots, respectively. These bioactive compounds ranged from fatty acid methyl esters, alkanes and aromatic diesters to triterpenoids. These bioactive compounds also possessed antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial and other biological activities, which justify the use of the plant, Nauclea pobeguinii for the treatment of various diseases.