Qualitative Phytochemical Screening of Three Indigenous Medicinal Plants

ABSTRACT Many modern medicines had their origin in medicinal plants. The present study was undertaken in three common plants viz; Mangifera indica (Mango), Azadiracta indica (Neem) and Lantana camara which are found to have anti diabetic and other medicinal properties. Pytochemical analyses of the active components of the plants by using different solvents were carried out. The fresh leaves of mango, neem and lantana were collected from the campus of Dr. D. Y. Patil Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Institute, Tathawade, Pune. Methanol, petroleum ether and water extracts of fresh and dry leaves of all the three plants were obtained by standard procedure. Filtered extracts were concentrated and were subjected to qualitative phytochemical analysis for various secondary metabolites like alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins, saponins and flavonoids. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of these constituents in these plants whereas variable results were observed with different solvents used. Phytochemical screening can serve as a basis for proper identification, collection and investigation of the plants. These parameters will be useful in the preparation of the herbal monograph of these plants