Communication in Physical Sciences 2020, 5(4): 592-598 Available at https://journalcps.com/index.php/volumes Communication in Physical Sciences 2020, 5(4): 592-598 Isolation and Characterization of Secondary Metabolite from the leaves Aspilia Africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams (Asteraceae) Ahamefula A. Ahuchaogu* and Okenwa U. Igwe Received 30 June 2020/Accepted 30 July 2020/Published online: 31 August 2020 Abstract Aspilia africana is a medicinal plant used traditionally for treating various diseases. Phytochemical investigation of the methanol extract of the leaves has led to the isolation of squalene (hexamethyl-2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22-tetracosahexa-ene) from the leaves of A. Africana and is known to possess significant antimicrobial activity, it has not been known to be previously isolated from Aspilia Africana. The structure of the component was elucidated based on the NMR and MS techniques and by comparison of their experimental data with literature.The purified compound was obtained by chromatographic method Key Words: Squalene, isolation and characterization, Aspilia Africana, MS and NMR Ahamefula A. Ahuchaogu* Department of Pure and Industry Chemistry, Abia state University, Uturu. Abia State, Nigeria Email: ahuchaogu.aa@abiastateuniversity.edu.ng Orcid id:0000-0002-6412-7487 Okenwa U. Igwe Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara university of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria Email: okenwauigwe@gmail.com 1.0 Introduction Plants have immense potential that can be explored for the management and treatment of various human ailments, green synthesis, production of industrial chemicals and other applications (Thakur et al., 2011; Rekik et al.,2019; ) Indeed, several medicinal plants have been used in traditional medicine for the treatment and management of all kinds of disease across the globe since time immemorial (Imran et al., 2015; Sabale et al.,2012; Agyare et al.,2016). In South-eastern Nigeria, some indigenous plants are used in African traditional medicine to cure diseases and heal injuries. Aspilia africana is one of such medicinal plants, which are fast gaining recognition due to its ability to stop blood flow in fresh wounds. Aspilia africana (Pers.) C. D. Adams (Asteraceae), commonly referred to as wild sunflower, is one of the highly valued wound healing plants throughout its distribution range and beyond (Komakech et al.,2019). This unique wound healing plant species is commonly referred to as “hemorrhage plant” due to its distinguished ability to stop bleeding on fresh wounds, even of severed artery (Okoli et al., 2007; Ukwueze et al.,2013; Dimo et al.,2002). Apart from its enormous potential in wound healing, A. africana is reported to be vital in the treatment and management of myriad of other diseases and disorders in African traditional medicine, including headache, corneal opacities, stomach disorders, cough, gonorrhea, rheumatic pains, and tuberculosis; the leaf infusion is taken as a tonic for women immediately after delivery (Oyesola et al.,2010; Okwuonu et al.,2017) . A. africana plant is also reported to possess great anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and antimicrobial activities (Okoli et al.,2007; Ukwueze et al.,2013). Several scientific studies have attributed the numerous medicinal properties of A. Africana to the presence of bioactive secondary metabolites in different parts of the palnt including alkaloids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, flavonoids, and terpenoids (Okwuonu et al.,2017 ; Etiosa and Chika.,2018). Hanna and Niemetz (1987) reported that Aspillia africana has an anticoagulant activity, Okwu and Josiah (2006) also stated that infusion of the plant leaf in combination with clay has been traditionally accepted as a medicine for stomach trouble. Other therapeutic applications of the plant is in treatment of malaria infection (Okokon et al.,2006). In African traditional medicine, Aspilia africana has been reported as an effective medicinal plant due to its wide therapeutic applications (Akujobi, et al.,2004). Noted that several parts of the plant; root, leaf, stem or whole plant can be used for herbal remedy either in dried form or as crude extracts. Aspilia africana is one of the plants that have been reported to contain a wide range of biological activities such as: antiviral, fungicidal and anti-