EVALUATION OF MAJOR PHYTOCHEMICALS IN THE LEAVES AND FRUITS OF SOLANUM MAURITIANUM SCOP.: A POTENTIAL HERBAL DRUG

Abstract

Phytochemicals isolation and identification is utmost important to know the active principles of medicinal plants. Solanum L., is used in folk and traditional medicine to cure many disorders. Bug weed (Solanum mauritianum Scop.) is evergreen woody shrub of South America. Local people use this exotic species for curing many ailments. A preliminary evaluation was attempted to know the major phytochemicals in this species to validate its usage. The leaves and fruits were screened for quantification of major phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins and phenolic compounds. Significant levels of alkaloid (0.59-0.34 mg/g), saponin (4.3-6.4 mg/g), phenolic content (7.2-11.7 mg/g), tannin (4.59-7.4 mg/g) has been detected in the leaves and fruits of this plant. It is fascinating to note that the polyphenols and alkaloids displayed remarkable levels. Thus, the present study reveals medicinal potentiality of the plant. These phytochemicals possess various bioactive properties and may be used as external therapeutic supplement. Further studies are warranted to isolate, fractionate the alkaloids from the leaves and to elucidate its structure.