Selective Isolation and Characterization of Euphorbia hirta Extract Metabolites

Abstract

Euphorbia hirta (family Euphorbiaceae) is a medicinal herb used traditionally for treating inflammation, respiratory conditions and gastrointestinal disorders. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the bioactive compounds in Euphorbia hirta extracts to validate its therapeutic potential. The plant material was collected and authenticated at the University of Ibadan Herbarium (voucher no. UIH-23576). Methanolic extraction was carried out after air-drying and pulverization. Phytochemical screening and selective isolation were performed using lead acetate precipitation, solvent partitioning and column chromatography. Characterization was achieved through FT-IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids/steroids, phenols and reducing sugars, whereas glycosides and anthocyanins were absent. FT-IR spectra confirmed the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl, C–O, and aromatic C=C functional groups. NMR data indicated oxygenated methines and aromatic quaternary carbons consistent with flavonoid glycosides. Two fractions (Rf = 0.4 and 0.5) were isolated as green amorphous powders containing a sugar moiety. These findings confirm Euphorbia hirta as a rich source of bioactive phytochemicals, supporting its ethnomedicinal use and highlighting its potential for natural product drug development.