Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL EXAMINATION OF GRAINS OF ELEUSINE CORACANA LINN.

Yogendr Bahuguna*, Guno Sindhu Chakraborthy

ABSTRACT

The aim of the present study was phytochemical investigation of extracts of grains of Eleusine coracana Linn. (Poaceae). The aqueous extract (AqE, 10% w/v) of dried coarse powdered grains was prepared using chloroform water by maceration method for 7 days at room temperature (yield 9.6% w/w). The aqueous extract (700 g) was divided into three equal portions. Each portion was suspended in distilled water (500 ml) and then extracted with petroleum ether (60 – 80°C, 8 X 500 ml), diethyl ether (8 X 500 ml) and ethyl acetate (8 X 500 ml) in succession. All the fractions were then washed with distilled water (30 ml), dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and freed of solvent by distillation. The aqueous extract was thus fractioned into petroleum ether soluble fraction (68 g), diethyl ether soluble fraction (47 g) and ethyl acetate soluble fraction (40 g). Chemical investigation of the grains led to the isolation of four compounds namely, α-amyrin acetate, β- amyrin acetate, stigmasterol and quercetin. The constituents isolated and characterized from the Eleusine coracana grains can be categorized under the triterpenes, sterols & flavonoids. Triterpenes like α-amyrin acetate and β-amyrin acetate were isolated from petroleum ether extracts, sterols like stigmasterols from diethylether extract, flavonol, quercetin was isolated from the ethyl acetate extract and characterized by spectral data. In conclusion, Flavonoids like quercetin are believed to act as diuretic hence hastens the process of dissolving the preformed stones in curative regimen and prevention of new stone formation in urinary system on prophylactic treatment and as antioxidant agents, therefore may be useful in the treatment of urolithiasis, where lipid peroxidation is an important constituent. This investigation could conclude the antiurolithiatic property of E. coracana grains due to the presence of flavonoids like quercetin.

Keywords: Eleusine coracana, Aqueous Extract, Fractionation, Triterpenes, Sterols, Flavonol