Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICALANALYSIS OF THE LEAF, STEM AND SEED EXTRACTS OF CAJANUS CAJAN L(DICOTYLEDONEAE: FABACEAE)

Meena Sahu, Devshree Vermaand, K.K. Harris*

ABSTRACT

Cajanus cajan L. is an important legume used as nutrient and rich source of vitamin and protein. It is used as traditional medicine since ancient times. Cajanus cajan L. is used for the treatment of hepatitis, dysentery, diabetes and measles. Its leaves used to treat wounds, malaria, bedsores, treat against hypoxic-ischemic brain damage and alcohol-induced liver damage and also used as antioxidant, anticancerous and antibacterial. Their seeds have been found to have antisickling activity. This study aims to investigate the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of leaf seed and stem extracts of Cajanus cajan L.. Ethanol, methanol, chloroform and petroleumether extract have been prepared using Soxhlet apparatus for the phytochemical analysis of leaves, seeds and stems ofCajanus cajan L. Methods of Trease and Evans (1989) and Sofowora (1993) were followed to revealed phytochemicals. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids flavonoids, anthraquinones and reducing sugars, however, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides were absent in some of the components of Cajanus cajan L.. Quantitative phytochemical analysis of leaf, seed and stems for total phenolic compounds were found with Folin-Ciocalteu’s reagent and revealed 16.61%, 3.82% and 14.19% ; saponins 5.97%, 6.35% and 4.98%; tannins 0.49%, 0.23% and 0.22%; alkaloids 2.65%, 2.65% and 2.51%; flavonoids 4.77%, 2.11% and 5.44% . The presence of these bioactive compounds like phenol, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins in Cajanus cajan L. probably contributes to its medicinal properties making it widely used in traditional medicines. Presence of these compounds is also directly linked by various authorities to the valuable anti-sickling properties possessed by this plant.

Keywords: Cajanus cajan L,Anti-sickling properties, Phytochemical analysis, Proximate analysis