Abstract

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON LEAVES OF VITEX SPECIES (VERBENACEAE), USED BY THE LOCAL ADIVASI COMMUNITIES OF ANDHRA PRADESH

Singanamala Ramesh, Kummari Rajasekar and Rudraraju Reddi Venkata Raju*

ABSTRACT

The present paper deals with preliminary phytochemical screening of Vitex species (Verbenaceae), used by the local adivasi communities for different human and veterinary ailments. The personal interviews conducted with local herbal practitioners and critical review of literature yielded 7 species of Vitex as an effective remedy for fever, cancer, diabetes, dysentery, diarrhoea, asthma, leprosy, menstrual disorders, rheumatic pains etc. The preliminary phytochemical screening was conducted on the leaf samples which were used as drug and composition of various groups of chemical constituents was discussed.

Keywords: Vitex species, Verbenaceae, phytochemical studies.