HPLC and GC-MS Analysis of Five Medicinal Plants Used in Folk Medicine to Treat Respiratory Diseases in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Very few phytochemical studies based on ethnobotanical studies were conducted in Saudi Arabia. In Jeddah, medicinal plants play a major role in healthcare. Here and for the first time, the chemical reasons behind the use of 5 medicinal plants in folk medicine in Jeddah to treat respiratory diseases were highlighted. Objective: The current research aims to investigate the chemical composition of 5 medicinal plants commonly used to treat respiratory diseases in folk medicine in Jeddah, by the analysis methods of High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Material and methods: Based on ethnobotanical fieldwork conducted in Jeddah over a year from August 2018 to September 2019, many plants were collected. Five plant species were analyzed first by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and second by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. Results: All these five medicinal plant species contained antioxidants. A total of five standards (quercetin, rutin, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, and gallic acid) were recognized in these plants. Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that the chemical composition of these therapeutic plants and their ethnomedicinal significance are consistent. Additionally, the outcomes showed that although Helianthus annuus L. and Anethum graveolens L. both contained antioxidants, they were rarely used in Jeddah's traditional medicine. Due to its medical value, it is crucial to call attention to it. To complete research into traditional medicine, which leads to the development of new medications, phytochemical screening must be focused on ethnobotanical investigations.