CHEMICAL FINGERPRINTING AND BIOACTIVE DISCOVERY IN RAUVOLFIA SERPENTINA THROUGH PHYTOCHEMICAL AND GC–MS ANALYSIS

Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz (Apocynaceae) is an ethnomedicinally significant species extensively employed in traditional healthcare systems for the management of hypertension, insomnia, and neuropsychiatric disorders. The present investigation was undertaken to comprehensively characterize the phytochemical architecture and bioactive constituents of R. serpentina leaves through qualitative, quantitative, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analyses. Ethanolic and n-hexane leaf extracts were prepared by standardized maceration protocols and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. The qualitative assays confirmed the presence of diverse secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, and phenolic compounds. Quantitative estimation revealed a significantly higher concentration of alkaloids (12.77 mg g⁻¹) and flavonoids (22.20 mg g⁻¹) in the ethanolic extract, whereas the n-hexane fraction exhibited maximum terpenoid content (17.60 mg g⁻¹), reflecting solvent polarity–dependent extraction efficiency. GC–MS profiling of the ethanolic extract identified hexadecanoic acid derivatives (21.88% peak area), octadecanoic acid esters, phytol, and dl-α-tocopherol as dominant constituents, all of which possess well-documented antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activities. Conversely, the n-hexane extract was enriched with fatty acid esters, phthalates, hydrocarbons, and squalene, compounds associated with cytotoxic, antifungal, and immunomodulatory pharmacological properties. Comparative solvent analysis established ethanol as superior for the recovery of polar bioactive compounds, whereas n-hexane preferentially extracted non-polar phytoconstituents. Collectively, these findings substantiate the therapeutic credibility of R. serpentina and scientifically corroborate its traditional medicinal claims. The presence of multifunctional phytochemicals underscores its promise as a reservoir of pharmacologically valuable molecules. Further isolation, structural elucidation, and bioactivity-guided studies are strongly recommended to facilitate the development of standardized phytopharmaceutical formulations and novel therapeutic agents.