Chemical Report on Wild Growing Mentha arvensis and Citrullus colocynthus from Oman

Abstract: Mentha arvensis and Citrullus colocynthus are important medicinal plants for Arab people as herbal remedy. The present study was designed to evaluate the components present in wild growing Mentha arvensis and Citrullus colocynthus using various advanced analytical techniques. After wet digestion plants samples were analyzed for metal contents using flame photometric and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analyses. Volatile compounds present in essential oil of Mentha arvensis were determined using Gas chromatographic coupled with Mass spectrometry. Fatty acid composition of Citrullus colocynthus was determined using Gas chromatograph equipped with flame ionization detector (FID). Linoleic acid was found as a major component of Citrullus colocynthus seed oil. Phenolics and flavonoids present in Mentha arvensis and Citrullus colocynthus were detected using High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). HPLC analysis of Citrullus colocynthus seed oil confirms the presence of anti-diabetic and cholesterol lowering compounds in it.