The present investigation was carried out to determine the possible bioactive components of Neibuhria apetala using GC-MS analysis. The phytoconstituents of the ethanol extract of leaves of N. apetala was investigated using Perkin-Elmer Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, while the mass spectra of the phytoconstituents found in the ethanol extract was matched with the National Institute of standard and Technology (NIST) library. Twenty three compounds were identified. The prevailing compounds in the N. apetala leaves ethanol extract were 3-Hexadecyne (26.09%), β-Sitosterol (23.57%), 9-Eicosyne (12.49%), 3,7,11,15-Tetramethyl-2-hexadecan-1-ol (8.74%), 7-Octadecyce, 2-methyl-(7.86%), Astaxanthin (3.50%), γ-Tocopherol (2.99%), 6,9,12,15-Docosa tetraenoic acid, methyl ester (2.63%), Gamolenic acid (2.39%) and 1 H-Pyrrole, 1-pentyl-(1.35%). The presence of various bioactive compounds confirms the application of N. apetala for various ailments. However, isolation of individual phytoconstituents may proceed to find a novel drug or lead compound.

The present investigation is to assess the antioxidant properties of leaf extracts of Neiebuhria apetala using different in vitro methods. The antioxidant activity was studied by DPPH radical scavenging method, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging activity and reducing power methods. Ethanol extract of leaf showed very good antioxidant properties. The present study exposed that ethanol extract of N. apetala include effective potential source of natural antioxidant, which might be useful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stresses.