South Indian Journal of Biological Sciences

Venkitachalapathi Kalaiselvi ¹, Thermadum Vareed Binu ¹, Singanalllur Ramu Radha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore‐641 043, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

The usage of medicinal plants in the system of medicine, i.e. Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani is well known. Nearly 3000 plants are officially recognized by India for their medicinal value and over 6000 plants are used in folk, herbal and traditional medicine system in India. Phytochemicals, the compounds present in plants are valuable source of food and medicine. Hence, the present investigation was undertaken with the main objective of screening the plant, Mimusops elengi L. (Sapotaceae) for its phytochemicals. The different leaf extracts of petroleum ether, chloroform and distilled water of Mimusops elengi L. were subjected to qualitative analysis for the identification of various primary and secondary metabolites. Powdered dried leaf sample was successively extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform and distilled water by using soxhlet apparatus until the decolourisation of the solvents. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, saponins, phenols, carbohydrates, proteins and aminoacid were confirmed in various extracts of leaf. Fixed oils and fat were present in both chloroform and aqueous extracts, whereas tannins were present only in petroleum ether extract.

Keywords

Mimusops elengi L, Soxhlet Apparatus, Phytochemicals, Leaf Extracts.

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Thermadum Vareed Binu ¹, Bhavaniamma Vijayakumari ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Botany, Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore ‐ 641 043, Tamil Nadu, IN

Abstract

With the passage of time, many problems associated with frequent use of synthetic drugs become prominent, like severe side effects and resistance of microbes against these drugs. On the other side, these drugs are expensive and a large population cannot afford these drugs. In recent times, research on medicinal plants has been intensified all over the world. Kidney stone formation (Urolithiasis) is a complex process that includes many chemical events such as super saturation, nucleation, growth, aggregation and retention of urinary stone constituents within the renal tubules. The currently employed medical management of urinary calculi includes lithotripsy and surgical procedures are expensive and complete recurrence is rare. In this respect, it was noted that there was little attempts reported on in vitro crystallization, growth and dissolution studies of Strychnos potatorum L.f. Strychnos potatorum L.f. is a dry deciduous tree and coming under the family Loganiaceae. Mainly four parts of the plant were taken for the study, leaf, stem, bark and seed. The four parts were extracted with petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water in the increasing order of polarity. The treatment of urolithiasis is mainly considered with the dissolution of existing stones and preventing recurrence of stones. The per cent inhibition of turbidity increased with concentration of extract and methanol extract of seed showed maximum dissolution of calcium oxalate stones in vitro.

Keywords

Urolithiasis, Loganiaceae, Lithotripsy, Strychnos potatorum L.f.

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