Abstract
Natural products had been indispensably used by many cultures and traditions from thousands of years. They are intensively explored for their bioactive pharmacophores by modern pharmaceutical companies. The potential bioactive phytocompounds like alkaloids, flavanoids, phenolic compounds and steroids are potential source for drug discovery. In the present study, an attempt has been made to explore the medicinal value of the plant, Ceropegia juncea (Roxb.) belongs to the family Asclepidaceae. Ceropegia juncea (Roxb.) recently has been claimed to be as Somalata and Sarcostemma acidum voigt is in as Soma plant currently. The plant is used in Somayaga (ritual practiced by sages from ages in India). The plant is used by various tribal communities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu and different other parts of India. The plant Ceropegia juncea (Roxb.) is screened for its phytochemical constituents. From the present study the plant is reported to have Alkaloids, Steroids, Terpenoids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Tanins, Glycosides, Anthocyanins, Anthracene glycosides and Coumarins were identified in the plant sample. The screening of the plant for phyto-chemicals is done by the method TLC and Coloumn chromatography.
