Determination of Bioactivity and Therapeutic Potential of Beta vulgaris (L.) Ethanolic Leaf Extracts

Plants, animals, and microorganisms have all been shown to have health benefits for humans. According to World Health Organization, plant medicines continue to be used by 80 percent of the world’s population in developing countries. Plant-derived secondary metabolites are macromolecules that are biosynthesized in plants and have a variety of biological properties that are beneficial to humans, including antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant properties. In this chapter, bioactive compounds and its therapeutically potential of Beta vulgaris (L.) leaf extracts were determined using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The bioactive compounds present in Beta vulgaris (L.) leaves powder were determined using Perkin-Elmer Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, while the mass spectra of the compounds found in the extract matched the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) library. GC-MS analysis of an ethanolic extract of Beta vulgaris (L.) revealed the presence of 25 bioactive compounds with different area percentages and structural details. The major bioactive compounds are 1,3,5,7- Tetroxane (73.1%), Decane (83.1%), Azulene (73.8%), 4-Hepten-2-one, 5-ethyl-3,3,4-trimethyl-(71.1%), 6-Amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4 (1H, 3H)-dione(65.1%), Phthalic acid, 4-bromophenyl ethyl ester(83.7%), Neophtadiene(93.1%), Neophytadiene (88.2%)Hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester(84.8%), n-Hexadecanoic acid(84.3%), Phytol(86.0%), 9- octadecenoic acid, (E)(88.6%), 2-Hexadecen-1-ol,3,7,11,15-tetramethyl-acetate,[R-[R*,R*-(E)]]-(64.0%), 1-Tricosene(72.3%) and 17-Pentatriacontene(65.6%). Most identified compounds have bioactivities such as Antimalaria, Anti-inflammatory, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antiviral, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Analgesic, Anti-hyperlipidemic, Hypocholesterolemic, Hepatoprotective, and Anti-androgenic, so that they can be recommended as a plant of phytopharmaceutical importance. Therefore ethanol extract of Beta vulgaris (L.) leaves proves as a potential source of bioactive compounds of pharmacological importance.