#phytochemical screening

The discovery of plant containing secondary metabolites or commonly known as phytochemicals gain interests nowadays because it offers benefit of treating diseases. Most of the indigenous people are advocating the use of plant extracts to treat diseases without knowing its properties but because they have done it for more than a year and for them it was effective. Hence, this paper aims to investigate two plants utilized in the Municipality of San Miguel, Surigao del Sur namely: Leucosyke capitellata POIR. and Dendrocnide densiflora C.B.ROB commonly known as alagasi and sagay respectively. Roots of each plants were collected and were subjected for ethanolic extraction. Three extracts, (1) L. capitellata, (2) D. densiflora, and combined formulation with 1:1 ratio was subjected for qualitative phytochemical tests to detect the presence of bioactive compounds. Findings of the study revealed that the following bioactive constituents are present in the three extracts namely: saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and steroids. The presence of this secondary metabolites may be the reason to support its therapeutic value to the local healers to treat inflamed wounds. Richer amount L. capitellata bioactive constituents supports the most preferred utilization among local healers. Combined formulations of these plants were found to contain rich amount of its constituents which may be the reason why most of the healers practiced mixing root samples in their traditional medication. Furthermore, there is a need to explore more of its therapeutic value since they possess secondary metabolites that offer more than the present therapeutic utilization.

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum Linn) belongs to the Poaceae family and used widely for the preparation of traditional medicines in Benin. The present study was designed to evaluate phytochemical and cytotoxicity potential of seven sugarcane varieties. The precipitation and coloration method were used to determine phytochemical compounds whilst larval toxicity was performed using brine shrimp larvae (Artemia salina Leach). Results of the study revealed variation in phytochemical compounds in the different sugarcane varieties screened. Difference in phytochemical composition was observed also between the juice and bark of same sugarcane variety. Alkaloids, leuco-anthocyanins and reducing compounds were found in juice and bark from all sugarcane varieties used. The CL50 vary from 0.74 mg/mL to 2.66 mg/mL for sugarcane juice and from 0.28 mg/mL to 0.54 mg/mL for the bark extracts. Neither the juice nor bark of sugarcane has presented a risk of toxicity to consumers. The results of the study confirm the potency of sugar cane in preparation of indigenous food and medicine in Benin.

Many plants attained popularity as medicinal plants but still various horizons require analyst’s interest. Amongst, Diospyros kaki is one of these medicinal plants granted with potent antioxidant activity. This study was focused to elucidate antioxidant status and biological activities of D. kaki with special reference to its bioactive molecules linked to various health claims. Phytochemicals like saponins, terpenoids, flavonoids and tannins were screened qualitatively in different organs by successive extraction with solvents of increasing polarity from less polar to more polar solvents along with determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents quantitatively. Moreover, with respect to phytopharmaceutical potential In vitro antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and anti-diabetic activities were also evaluated. Phytochemical screening reflected presence of active constituents in all organs but abundance of these was found in ethanol and methanol extracts of leaves and unripe fruit. Similarly, methanol extract of leaves revealed significant anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activity against gram negative bacteria whereas anti fungal, anti-diabetic and antibacterial activity against gram positive bacteria were shown in ethanol extract of unripe fruit. These findings concluded that D. kaki could be capitalized in pharmacology due to presence of different phytochemicals comprising of antioxidant characteristics but resulted remarkable phytochemicals in leaves and unripe fruit extracts in addition to significant biological activities make them more remarkable and profound amongst other extracts. Methanol and ethanol extracts due to good purity level as compared to other solvents found to be more dynamic against biological activities. Keeping in mind the above facts, further biological and pharmaceutical investigations are required to characterize new bioactive components.

One significant medicinal herb is Clerodendrum inerme. The plant is referred to locally as “bonjol” in Bangladesh. The current study examines the ethanolic seed extract of this plant using UV and FT-IR spectroscopy as well as phytochemical screening. The plant has anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-malarial, antidiabetic, and antioxidant qualities. A group of phytochemicals like flavonoids, terpenoids glycosides, phytosterols, etc. are all present in the extract according to phytochemical screening. Carbonyl group (ketone), α,β unsaturated amides, lactams, sulfur compounds, nitro compounds, flavones, fistins, quercetins, Sodium Salts of Quercetin 5′ Sulfonic Acid, myricetins, chalcones, flavonoids (anthocyanin type) are detected by UV and Fourier Transform and Infra-Red spectroscopy of the plant’s ethanolic leaf extract. The bioactive compounds mentioned above primarily contribute to the plant’s therapeutic properties.

Cervical cancer occurs more in females than males and needs more attention to treat the disease. Owing to the side effects by treatments in current use, scientists are working effortlessly in search of alternative medicines. Plants are a rich source of medicinally active substances that can perform significant pharmacological activities. So we aimed to analyse Boerhavia diffusa (BD) plant for its medicinal uses. Crude ethanolic extract of BD was analysed for phytochemical screening, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity assays. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, amino acids, terpenoids, phenols, anthraquinones, steroids, alkaloids, and carbohydrates. In vitro antioxidant activity by DPPH assay at varying concentrations of 20 µg/ml, 40 µg/ml, 60 µg/ml, 80 µg/ml, and 100 µg/ml showed percentage inhibition values of 8.4%, 13.8%, 26.1%, 30.7%, and 41%, respectively. Similarly, the reducing power assay revealed the percentage inhibition values as 25.8%, 48.3%, 66.7%, 75.8%, and 87.8% for the corresponding concentrations. Comparison of the IC50 values of BD extract obtained from both the assays (DPPH-19.1 µg/ml; reducing power-55µg/ml) revealed its strong antioxidant property as that of the standard (DPPH-21.3 µg/ml; reducing power-57.5 µg/ml). Cytotoxicity tests by MTT assay with various concentrations against SiHa cell line showed the best cell viability value of 47.1 % at 125 µg/ml concentration. The phytochemicals present in BD are responsible for imparting antioxidant and cytotoxic properties. Further studies might be useful to obtain key insights for exploring this plant as a contemporary medicine against cervical cancer.

Spices are recognized not only for their culinary value but also for their rich content of bioactive compounds with potential health benefits. This study aimed to qualitatively evaluate the phytochemical constituents of aqueous and ethanol extracts of five widely used Ghanaian spices: black pepper (Piper nigrum), grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum), West African pepper (Xylopia aethiopica), and habanero pepper (Capsicum chinense). Plant materials were collected from local markets, processed, and subjected to solvent extraction using water and ethanol. Standard qualitative assays were employed to detect major secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenolics, and phytosterols. Results revealed that aqueous extracts generally yielded a broader spectrum of phytochemicals than ethanol extracts, with flavonoids being the most consistently detected class across species. Cloves exhibited the richest phytochemical profile, containing flavonoids, saponins, phenolics, and phytosterols in both solvent systems. Species-specific variations were noted, such as the presence of alkaloids exclusively in the aqueous extract of black pepper.