Phytochemical status of some selected medicinal plants (Eclipta alba, Cathranthus roseus and Swertia chirata)

In the present study three medicinal plants i.e. Ecliptic alba, Cathranthusroseus and Swertiachirata were selected and screened for different bioactive compounds of medicinal importance. For this purpose methanolic extracts of the leaves and stems of these medicinal plants were prepared and tested for the presence of different phytochemical compounds. These plants were found to contain alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, proteins, saponins and glycosides. Presence of alkaloids was higher in the leaves and stems of C. roseus as compared to E. alba and S. chirata. However, carbohydrates and proteins were similar in the methanolic extract of leaves and stems of all the three plants. Qualitative analysis showed that the total flavonoids contents were 15.5, 16.2 and 18.3 mg/g in leaves and 8.5, 9.4 and 9.2 mg/g in stems of Ecliptaalba, Cathranthusroseus and Swertiachirata, respectively. Thetotal phenolic contents were 7.4, 8.3 and 5.5 mg/g in leaves and 4.9, 5.3 and 6.2 mg/g in stems of E.alba, C.roseus and S.chirata, respectively. Presence of different bioactive compounds in the methanolic extracts of leaves and stems of these plants suggested that they may be effectively used in the traditional medicine system for the treatment of different disease conditions.

Author(s): Sushma and Maneesha Dubey*

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