Preliminary Phytochemical Analysis of Pentapetes phoenicea L.

The present study was undertaken to study the phytochemicals present in Pentapetes phoenicea from the family Sterculiaceae. In nature the plant grows in moist soil. It can also be grown under the shade of trees as well as in open sunny areas. For preliminary phytochemical analysis different solvents like petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, methanol and distilled water were used. It revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, I. Introduction Phytoconstituents are the natural bioactive compounds found in plants. These phytoconstituents work with nutrients and fibres to form an integrated part of defence system against various diseases and stress conditions. Medicinal plants are of great importance to the health of individuals and communities. The medicinal value of these plants lies in some chemical substances that produce a definite physiological action on the human body. The most important of these bioactive constituents of plants are alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and phenolic compounds (Hill, 1952). Pentapetes is native to a wide region of tropical South Asia from Shrilanka and India to northern Australia and the Philippines. It is naturalised and occurs almost throughout the drier parts of India, along roadsides, wastelands near habitaions, dumping grounds and swampy areas. The fruit of Pentapetes phoenicea causes constipation, heats the body, and is difficult to digest: removes 'kapha': cures fever, 'vata': and 'pitta' (Ayurveda). The root is employed as an emollient in Annam and in China. II. Material And Methods Plant material The whole plant of Pentapetes phoenicea was collected from the field. The different parts of the plant namely: leaves, stem and root were removed from the whole plant and air dried separately at room temperature. The dried parts were ground to powder and stored in polythene bags at room temperature. Chemical tests were carried out on different extracts to identify the constituents as described by Das and Bhattacharjee (1970), Gibbs (1974), Harborne (1984), Chhabra et al. (1984), Treases and Evans (1985), Daniel (1991), David (2000), Kokate et al. (2004). Preparation of extract: - For preliminary phytochemical analysis, 15 gm of the powdered plant material was taken in thimble of Whatman filter paper No. 1 and sohxelated with petroleum ether for about 12-16 hours. The petroleum ether extract (1a) was distilled off and the residue (1b) was dried overnight. The petroleum extract (1a) was tested for the presence of alkaloids, carotenoids, coumarins, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics and triterprnoids. The residue (1b) was Sohxelated with chloroform until complete decolourization takes place. The chloroform extract was collected and the residue (2b) was kept overnight for drying. This chloroform extract (2a) was tested for the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics and triterprnoids. The residue (2b) was Sohxelated with acetone for 4 - 5 hours and the acetone extract (3a) was collected. The residue (3b) was kept overnight. The acetone extract was tested for the presence of alkaloids, coumarins, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics and triterprnoids. The residue (3b) was Sohxelated with methanol for 10 - 12 hours. The methanol extract (4a) was collected and the residue (4b) was dried till next day. The methanol extract (4a) was tested for the presence of alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthocynidins, anthracene glycosides, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, steroids phenolics, tannins and triterpenoids. The residue (4b) was finally Sohxelated with distil water for about 10 - 12 hour. The water extract (5a) was tested for the presence of alkaloid, anthocyanins, anthocynidins, anthracene glycosides, carbohydrates, coumarines, flavonoids, steroids, phenolics, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids, gums and mucilage. The residue (5b) was discarded. Alkaloids: All 5 extracts (1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, and 5a) were tested for the presence of alkaloids with Mayer's, Dragendorff's and Wagner's reagent. 2ml of each extract was taken separately in 5ml of 1.5% v/v aqueous HCl and filtered. The resulting acidic solution was divided into 4 parts. Three parts were tested with Mayer's, Dragendorff's and Wagner's reagent and the fourth part served as blank. A faint turbidity, light opalescence or