GC/MS analysis of the essential oil of Leucas indica from India.

The aim of the present study was to investigate and identify the essential oil constituents of Leucas indica (L.) R.Br. (Lamiaceae). The chemical composition of the hydro-distilled essential oil was obtained from the flowering aerial parts of L. indica for the first time. The oil was analyzed by gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detector (GC-FID) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Fifty-six compounds were identified, representing 99.1% of the total oil. The main constituents were β-caryophyllene (51.1%) and α-caryophyllene (10.2%). The oil was found to be rich in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (71.8%).