Preeti Kumari

Phytochemical Screening of Selected Medicinal Plants for Secondary Metabolites

Systemic and Scientific investigation was carried out for identification, selection, characterization of popularly grown medicinal plants in and around Patna and their phytochemical analysis was carried out to assess their medicinal value potentialities. The traditional medicine involves the uses of different plant extracts or the phytochemical bioactive constituents, which provides the health application at an affordable cost. Secondary metabolites are responsible for the medicinal activity of plants. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of these plants confirm the presence of various phytochemicals like saponins, terpenoids, steroids, anthocyanins, coumarins, fatty acids, tannins, leucoanthocyanins and emodins etc. The result suggests that the phytochemical properties for curing various ailments and possess potent antioxidant, which may lead to the isolation of new and novel secondary compounds for generation of new drugs. Knowledge of the phytochemical constituents of plants are desirable because such information will be of value for the synthesis of complex chemical substances. Out of 50 medicinal plants subjected to phytochemical screening 11 were found to be highly potent, 18 moderately potential and 21 to be least potential on the basis of presence of phytochemicals in the leaf extract of secondary metabolites. Key-wordsPhytochemical screening; Medicinal plants; Secondary metabolites INTRODUCTION In recent year, interest has been revived in the study and use of traditional medicine in different parts of the world. As a result, countries have sought cooperation in identifying and using safe positive components of traditional medicine in their national health systems. [1] Since ancient times, people have been exploring nature particularly plants, in search of new drugs, and this has resulted in the use of a large number of medicinal plants with curative properties to treat various diseases. In India, almost 95% of the prescriptions have been reported to be plant based on the traditional systems of Unani, Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Siddha. Plants produce primary and secondary metabolites with divergent functions. The primary metabolites, amino acids, simple sugars (glucosides), proteins and lipids are involved in cellular processes. Secondary metabolites are chemically active compounds i.e. (flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, Access this article online Quick Response Code Website: www.ijlssr.com DOI: 10.21276/ijlssr.2017.3.4.9 steroids, saponins, etc.), which are produced in response to stress with complexity in structure and more restriction in distribution than the primary metabolites. Plants can produce different kind of secondary metabolites also known as natural products as they elicit effects on other organisms. Plant products have been part of phytomedicines since time immemorial. The study of the distribution, diversity and utilization of herbal flora of J & K state (Rajouri) revealed that many ethanomedicinal plants are popularly in used by locals such as Gujjar, Bakarwals & Paharies for cure from various ailments. [8] Similar results were also reported for M.P region. Total 35 plants species from Madhya Pradesh were reported, out of which 23 plant species were effective in treatment of diseases. [9] These can be derived from any part of the plant like bark, leaves, flowers, seeds, etc. i.e., any part of the plant may contain active components. Knowledge of the chemical constituents of plants are desirable because such information will be of value for the synthesis of complex chemical substances. Such phytochemical screenings of various plants are reported by many workers. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of 10 medicinal plants of M.P were found to be the source of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, phytosterols, glycosides, phenol, flavonoids and diterpenoids. [10] Secondary Metabolites or Phytochemicals from plants have ARTICLE RESEARCH Int. J. Life Sci. Scienti. Res., 3(4) JULY 2017 Copyright