Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION ON STEM AND LEAVES OF IPOMOEA MURICATA (L.) JACQ.

Anju A. Varghese*, Jeevan Sibichan, Sreelakshmi C. B. and Prof. Dr. Santhosh M. Mathews

ABSTRACT

Pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigation were carried out on the stem and leaves of Ipomoea muricata (L.) Jacq belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. This investigation aimed to explore the bioactive compounds of Ipomoea muricata stems and leaves and their potent role in future research studies. Therefore, in this study, an attempt has been made to estimate the pharmacognostical and phytochemical analysis which are still unexplored. The pharmacognostical analysis revealed total ash, water soluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive and acid insoluble extractive value. The quantitative and qualitative analysis is very essential for identifying the compounds presents in the medicinal plants. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of proteins, carbohydrates, alkaloid, flavonoids, phenolic compounds but glycosides, saponins, fats and oil were absent. The quantitative estimation of phytoconstituents throws light on the type of secondary metabolites present in the plant and the quantification helps in determining the amount of certain type of secondary metabolites (phenolic compounds and flavonoids) which may be responsible for the pharmacological activity. The total phenolic and flavonoid content were determined using standard method while antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging activity method. MTT Assay were conducted to determine whether this species was cytotoxic to normal cell or not. Based on the findings of this investigation, extract possesses various bioactive compounds and moderate antioxidant potentials, which may be a path to the discovery of traditional medicines and remedies for many critical diseases. However, evaluation of more in-vitro activities, responsible chemical constituents and clinical trials are upmost need for this important plant. Consequently, a broad field of future research remains possible in which the isolation of new active principles from these species would be of great scientific merit.

Keywords: Pharmacognostical analysis; Phytochemical screening; DPPH; MTT.