Phytochemical Investigation of Methanolic Extract of the Leaves of Evolvulus Alsinoides Linn.

N. Vijayalakshmi¹ and J. M. Sasikumar²

¹Research and Development Centre, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore - 641 046 India. ²Department of Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Karpagam University, Coimbatore - 641 021 India. Corresponding Author E-mail: jmsashikumar@yahoo.co.in

ABSTRACT: The present study deals with the phytochemical investigation and therapeutic importance of Evolvulus alsinoides L., an important medicinal plant. Worldwide trend towards the utilization of natural plant remedies has created an enormous need for the use of medicinal plants. This study involves the preliminary phytochemical screening, separation and identification of compounds present in the crude extract of E.alsinoides leaves by HPTLC. Qualitative analysis of the methanolic extract prepared from E.alsinoides leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, glycosides, terpenoids, saponins, reducing sugars, amino acids, gums and mucilages. The results obtained after qualitative analysis was confirmed by spectral analysis. The presence of multiple peaks of polyphenolic compounds was observed in HPTLC fingerprinting. The results suggested that the phytochemical properties of the leaves are responsible for curing various ailments. The plant E.alsinoides is a potential source of various types of bioactive compounds with diverse chemical structures as well as pharmacological activities.

KEYWORDS: Evolvulus alsinoides L; HPTLC; polyphenols; phytochemical analysis

[ HTML Full Text]