Screening and characterization of non caloric sweeteners in Scoparia dulcis L.

Scopariadulcis Lin. (Scrophulariaceae) is a wasteland herb, introduced from Tropical America. The traditional healers have documented its many promising traditional medicinal uses such as anticancerous, antitumorous, antileukemic and antiviral (including HIV), hypoglycemic, hypotension (lowers blood pressure), cardiotonic, analgesic (pain- relievers), diuretic and sediative property. Main chemicals constituents are scopaduloic acid A and B, scopadiol, scopadulciol, scopadulin, scoparic acid A, B and C and betulinic acid, acatein, amyrin, apigenin, coumaric acid, blulcinol, glutinol, mannitol, scopadiol, dulcioic acid. Triterpene and mannital have been isolated from roots and dulertol from aerial parts. Leaves are used in treatment of fever, cough, bronchitis and dental trouble. Leaves and stems are used for diabetes. The result of the study confirms the sweet taste of the plant as indicated from various literatures and from the Latin binomial ‘dulcis’ which means sweet taste. The sweet taste was may be because of the presence of β and α methyl glycopyranoside. However, we could not able to identify any glycosides.

Author(s): Ananthi P, Sebastian Soosairaj* and Vijayachitra

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