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Keywords: Metabolite profiling, GC–MS, n Taxus wallichianan
Taxus wallichiana Zucc. is a medicinally important plant valued in ethnomedicine and pharmacology for its diverse phytochemical repertoire and therapeutic potential, particularly in cancer treatment. In this study, untargeted gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was employed to comprehensively profile the metabolites present in the bark and needles of T. wallichiana. Sequential extraction with n-hexane and ethyl acetate enabled comparative analysis of metabolite classes across tissues. Distinct chemical compounds were observed: needles were enriched in phenolics, alcohols, and fatty acids, whereas bark extracts contained higher proportions of hydrocarbons, alkanes, and heterocyclic compounds. These results highlight tissue- and solvent-dependent variations in metabolite distribution and expand current understanding of the phytochemical diversity of T. wallichiana. Such insights not only reinforce its significance in traditional medicine but also strengthen its potential as a reservoir of bioactive molecules for modern drug discovery.
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University Centre for Research and Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, India