PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING FOR ACTIVE COMPOUNDS IN GLORIOSASUPERBA LEAVES AND TUBERS

Abstract

Gloriosasuperba Linn. (Family: Liliaceae) is one of the endangered species among the medicinal plants which is a striking tuberous climbing plant with brilliant wavy-edged yellow and red flowers common in forest throughout India and in Andaman Islands. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytoconstituents of Gloriosasuperba leaf and tuber extracts. All experiments were conducted following standard procedures. The results revealed the presence of various classes of compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, glycosides, steroids, phenols and tannins. Resins was not detected from any of the extract under study. The results of the various phytochemical tests indicated that the plant to be rich in various biologically active compounds which could serve as potential source of the crude drugs that can be used as a complementary source of traditional medicines. We recommend further research on this plant for possible isolation and characterization of the various chemical active substances.