[01] I. E. Otuokere, Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia, Nigeria. [02] A. J. Amaku, Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia, Nigeria. [03] K. K. Igwe, Department of Vet. Biochem and Pharm, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia, Nigeria. [04] G. C. Chinedum, Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia, Nigeria.

The phytochemical constituents of ethanol extracts of Justicia carnea leaf was analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. The ethanol leaf extracts of Justicia carnea was prepared by soxhlet extraction method and concentrated at 40°C using hot air oven. The concentrated ethanol extracts was subjected to phytochemical analysis using GC-MS. GC-MS analysis showed the presence of six phytocompounds. The phytocompounds are isonicotinic acid N-oxide (2.58%), phosphinodithioic acid, diphenyl- (1.93%), hexadecanoic acid (10.50%), 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,5-nonafluoro-pentanoic acid methyl ester (73.19%), 9,12,15-octadecatrien-1-ol (9.33%) and 7H-purine, 7-benzyl-2,6-dichloro- (2.48%). The result of the GC-MS analysis showed that the ethanol extract of Justicia carnea contains many pharmacologically important bioactive compounds. Traditionally, Justicia species are used in the treatment of inflammation, gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory tract infection, rheumatism and arthritis. There is need for isolation of these phytocompounds for the control of diseases.

Justicia carnea, Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Extracts, Phytocompounds

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