Chromatographic and Spectroscopic Data of Phytochemicals from Cannabis sativa Roots

Abstract

Abstract Cannabis sativa commonly called ̎ Bhang ̎ is an endemic species of Central Asia of Himalayas. Its roots have been widely used in the ethnomedicine for arthritis and in drugs like Nabilone, Sativex, Dronabinol and Rimonabant. In addition to the social aspects of the use of drug and its abuse potential, the issue of approving it as a medicine is further complicated by the complexity of the chemical makeup of the plant. This manuscript discusses the chemical constituents of the roots with particular emphasis on the Cannabinoids responsible for the drug’s psychological properties. The present work describes a sample preparation by Maceration and Soxhlet Extraction followed by hydrolytic studies to identify sugars and phenolic acids. A simple method is presented for the preparative isolation of seven major Cannabinoid glycosides involving Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (PTLC) using solvent system n-Hexane : Diethyl-ether (1:1) as mobile phase and 60F254 (Merck) Silica gel as stationary phase. Chromatographic and spectroscopic data was used to provide footing for the structural elucidation of cannabinoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, esters, hydrocarbons, steroids, benzene derivatives, alcohols, heterocycles and carboxylic acids. These phytochemical constituents were studied by GC-MS and hyphenated technique HPLC-MS. Information gleaned from GC-MS analyses lead to the discovery of esters, hydrocarbons, psychoactive cannabibnoids, steroids and carboxylic acids. While HPLC-MS analyses allowed the identification of phenolic acids, Cannabinoids and flavonoid glycosides derivatives. Psychoactive cannabinoid glycosides were first time identified from the roots of C. sativa. Detailed picture of phytochemical constituents provided a strong evidence for the utilization of roots for medicinal purpose, drug discovery and also in green chemistry.