Introduction
The extract from parts (seeds, leaves, stems, roots, etc.) of medicinal plants has been utilized to treat several infections. Medicinal herbs are the best way to obtain various medicines. It has been estimated that around 80% of the population residing in industrialized nations utilized conventional drugs, which are obtained from remedial herbs (Ahmad et al., 2011). S. laureola is a plant with a high fragrance belonging to the family Rutaceae dispensed from northern China to the Northern Himalayan region. The leaves of S. laureola leave exude a pleasant smell when mashed. It is an important traditional medicinal plant of India grown at an elevation of 1800- 3000 m. Skimmia laureola’s leaves are effective against smallpox1 as well as for air freshness and the Powder of its bark is used for the alleviation of wounds as well as burns. The water extract and crucial oil from the blossom exhibited the greatest chelating properties. The dehydrated leaves are utilized as insecticides, pesticides, as well as in the treatment of pyrexia, headaches, and cold whereas the roots are employed as counter agents to the bites of scorpions and snakes.2 The family Rutaceae is depicted mainly by shrubs, trees, and ligneous creepers and comprises 1815 species and 61 genera, mainly of subtropical and tropical distribution.3 The leaves of Skimmia laureola possess important antipyretic and antinociceptive properties with lots of safety profiles, hence providing pharmaceutical bases for the conventional employment of these herbs in several excruciating circumstances as well as fever.4 The extracts of plants have also shown mutagenic activities.5 The essential oil of the plant has also shown insect-repellent properties6 and antifungal activity, especially against Candida albicans.7
As depicted in Figure 1, Figure 2 8 it is quite evident that Skimmia laureola (kedarpati) is an aromatic and evergreen herb with blossoming flowers which is utilized in the treatment of rheumatism, swellings, and therapies. The essential oils from the leaf and stem of S. laureola arising from elevated heights in the Indian Himalayan region were analysed employing capillary GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). An aggregate of fifty elements, depicting 94.9% of the leaf oil, as well as 26 components, deriving 95.4% of the stem oil constituents, were recognized. Generally, the main components of the oil are announced as linalool and linalyl acetate, although the existence of linalyl butyrate, the chief component of Skimmia laureola, has also been observed.9 The greatest reducing power was shown by the oil that flowers and leaves exude. The greatest DPPH radical rummaging potential was perceived in leaf extract and crucial oil.10
This research work aimed to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the Skimmia laureola plant and the constituents of its oil extracts. To analyse the selection of crucial oils from Skimmia laureola leaves for antipyretic, antihyperalgesic, and anticonvulsant properties and acute toxicity. This research also distinguished the characterization of various new components of S. laureola essential oils from previous reports.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a systematic technique that combines the characteristics of gas-chromatography and mass spectrometry to recognize dissimilar substances within a test sample.11 GC-MS can also be used in airport safety to ascertain materials in human beings or in luggage. Apart from this, it can identify trace elements in substances that were formerly thought to have dissipated beyond recognition. Here is a picture showing concepts about the working of GC-MS technique.12
This present study was carried out to determine the intricate GC and GC-MS examination of stem and leaf essential oils of S. laureola generated from the Garhwal region in Uttarakhand, India. The recently recognised components of this oil could play a critical role in the oil verification process.13 Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Gas chromatography (GC) studies of the essential oil showed fifty components, depicting 99.2% of the oil, whereas HS-SPME investigations of the similar plant matter showed 26 constituents, constituting 98.3% of the extract. The chief constituents of the crucial oil were identified to be linalyl acetate, linalool, -phellandrene, and α-terpineol, whereas in the HS-SPME extract, the crucial components were linalyl acetate, linalool, α-pinene and geyrene. The percentage production of oil was 0.4% (v/w) on the basis of their fresh weight.14 GC-MS is a highly virtual and adaptable systematic technique with many scientific uses in the fields of technology and engineering science. The present review explains the vital operation of our approach, which is extremely practical for quality control, impurity profiling, systematic research, and preservation of human development and welfare.15 The respective quantities of particular constituents were considered on the basis of the GC peak area (FID response) without utilising rectifying elements.
Material and Methods
Collection of sample
A firm sample of Skimmia laureola was collected from the mountainous area of the Uttarkashi Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, and steam distillation (an alternative method of attaining distillation at a temperature below the normal boiling point) was performed.
Identification of the sample and preparation of plant extracts
The sample was further identified by a designated authority, the Forest Research Institute (FRI) in Dehradun. The sample was approved successfully by FRI for further conduction of our research. The process of steam distillation was carried out on fresh leaves of our plant and oil was extracted.
Extraction of essential oil by steam distillation
The Clevenger apparatus was used for steam distillation. It is the most usual method for the extraction of pleasant compounds from a plant. During the procedure of the steam distillation process, steam is passed through the plant material. The mingling of warmed water vapours and moderate pressure leads to the liberation of crucial oils from minuscule shielding sacs.
Result and Discussion
The yield of essential oil from leaves was observed, and a total of fifty constituents were recognised with the help of Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The comprehensive outcomes are summarised in Table 1. The chief constituents of leaf essential oil were linalool, Neryl acetate, Gamma-vinyl-gamma-valerolactone, Alpha-terpineol, Furfuryl alcohol, etc. Additionally, the collation of the crucial oil composition of S. laureola examined in the current analysis with the previous study revealed the recognition of various new components. The results of the current analysis are based on our preceding analysis of the chemical constitution of the essential oil of Skimmia laureola.
Table 1
Chemical constituent of leaf essential oils of S. laureola obtained from Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand, India
From Table 1, it can be elucidated that the lowest peak was obtained for Butanal, 2-ethyl- with a retention time of 4.380 while the highest was obtained for Farnesyl acetate with a retention time of 40.113. The chromatogram in Figure 4 depicts different peaks recognised by performing Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of the oil from Skimmia leaves.
Figure 4
Representation of different peaks recognized by performing Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)
Chemical composition of Skimmia laureola
The chemical constituents of the crucial oils of Skimmia laureola developing in Northern Garhwal, Himalaya were evaluated. The broadly growing herbs were gathered from the Uttarkashi district of the Garhwal region. The essential oil was extracted by the technique of hydrodistillation and further estimated using GC/MS. The entire 50 constituents were encountered, whereas the essential oil was analysed for antibacterial activity.
Remedial uses of Skimmia laureola
Evergreen shrub Skimmia laureola, is indigenous to the Himalayan region. Although it is mainly planted for its decorative value due to its lovely foliage and fragrant flowers, there are a few therapeutic benefits as well. The plant leaves extract shows the presence of bioactive compounds which shows potential bacteriostatic effects in opposition of Gram-positive and gram negative bacteria’s.16 The leaves also displayed different levels of
antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Bacillus subtilis.8
Conclusion
It is absolutely obvious from the article that S. laureola consists of bioactive compounds, which are the major factors in the remedial value of this plant. The oil was identified to possess antimicrobial and antibacterial properties as well. The oil and its pure compounds could be considered for the development of new chemotherapeutic agents. In light of the observed biochemical and physical properties of Skimmia laureola, this native remedial herb can be suggested as an encouraging origin for upcoming studies concerning the separation of several bioactive compounds that are arising and demanding the requirements of the pharmaceutical as well as the food industries. Therefore, systemic investigation and advanced studies should be performed for the growth of products for their better economic and medicinal uses.
