By Virendra S. Rana and M. Amparo Blazquez

Abstract: Abstract: The essential oil isolated from the aerial parts of Gynura cusimbua was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Forty-seven constituents totaling 91.92% of the oil were identified. The major constituents of the oil are myrcene (31.0%), β-phellandrene (12.43%), eugenol (6.34%), α-humulene (6.20%), dodecyl acrylate (6.09%), α-copaene (5.61%), phytol (3.21%), germacrene D (3.0%), cryptone (2.04%), 2,4-ditertbutylphenol (1.62%), α-pinene (1.33%), α-cadinene (1.26%), caryophyllene oxide (1.24%) and β-caryophyllene (1.08%). Key Word Index: Gynura cusimbua, Asteraceae, volatile oil, myrcene, β-phellandrene.

Introduction
Gynura (Family: Asteraceae), a genus of herb, rarely under shrubs, widely distributed in the warmer parts of the world. Out of 14 species reported so far, seven species are growing in India (1). Gynura cusimbua is a large herb commonly found in roadsides, fields and grassy slopes in Imphal and other places of Manipur. The juice of stem and leaves are applied to fresh wounds for stopping bleeding and fast healing in traditional medicines. The leaf paste is also applied to forehead to relive headache and used as sedative drug by the local people (2,3).

Literature survey revealed that no phytochemical work has been done on this plant. Thus, it was thought worthwhile to carry out a detailed chemical analysis of the volatile components of its aerial parts by GC/MS.