Preliminary Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Profiling of Aristolochia Tagala Cham. A Rare Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Aristolochia tagala Cham. is a rare medicinal plant found in certain tropical regions of the world. During the present investigation, a detailed preliminary qualitative and quantitative analysis were carried out to know the phytochemical profile of the leaves of A. tagala. The leaf powder was extracted with three solvents having different polarities and subjected for analysis. The extracts showed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides and volatile oils whereas saponins, non-volatile oils, gums and mucilage were completely absent. In quantification experiments, chloroform leaf extract showed high concentrations of phenolics, flavonoids and flavonols while methanolic leaf extract showed abundant alkaloids. This preliminary phytochemical profile can be used as a data source for the isolation of phenolic and alkaloid compounds. The isolated compounds can be used for their specific biological activity and based on their curative properties they may be used for the formulation of drugs.