This document summarizes a study investigating the phytochemical composition of two tropical medicinal plants, Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L. Leaf extracts were prepared from the plants using different solvents and subjected to phytochemical screening tests. Both plants were found to contain several bioactive compounds like flavonoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, and triterpenoids. Stereospermum colais L. had a higher extractive value in methanol. Physicochemical analysis and fluorescence analysis were also performed on the leaf powders. The study supports the use of these plants in traditional medicine.

1. Phytochemical investigation of tropical medicinal
plants - Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L.
Keywords:
Stereospermum colais L., Barringtonia acutangula L., Phytochemical analysis.
ABSTRACT:
Phytochemicals are a wide variety of compounds produced by plants
manipulated widely in the pharmacognostic drug development and treatment of the
major ailments. The present study focuses on screening and comparative analysis of
secondary metabolites, fluorescence and physiochemical analysis of two major
medicinal plants; Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L. Leaf
samples from these medicinal plants were subjected to sequential cold percolation
method using Hexane, Ethyl acetate, Chloroform and Methanol. Bioactive compounds
like Cardioglycosides, Flavonoid, Quinones, Terpenoids, Alkaloids and
Steroids are present in high concentration in Stereospermum colais L. and
Barringtonia acutangula L. Extractive value was high in Methanol extract when
compared to other solvent extracts.
109-115 | JRPS | 2012 | Vol 1 | No 2
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Journal of Research in
Plant Sciences
An International Scientific
Research Journal
Authors:
Florida M and Sekar T.
Institution:
PG and Research
Department of Botany,
Pachaiyappa’s College,
Chennai-600030.
Corresponding author:
Florida M.
Email:
florida1871@yahoo.com
Web Address:
http://plantsciences.info/
documents/PS0033.pdf.
Dates:
Received: 18 Jul 2012 Accepted: 25 Jul 2012 Published: 24 Aug 2012
Article Citation:
Florida M and Sekar T.
Phytochemical investigation of tropical medicinal plants - Stereospermum colais L. and
Barringtonia acutangula L.
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 109-115
Original Research
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences
JournalofResearchinPlantSciences An International Scientific Research Journal

2. INTRODUCTION
Traditional medicines play an important role in
health services around the globe. About three quarters of
the World’s population relies on plants and its extracts
for health care (Premanathan et al., 2000; Gabhe et al.,
2006). Throughout history plants have been used by
human beings for medicinal purposes and even in
modern times, they have formed the basis of many
pharmaceuticals (Schmidt et al., 2008).The complex
secondary metabolites produced by plants have found
various therapeutic uses in medicine from time
immemorial. The early history of modern
medicine contains descriptions of plant-derived
phytochemicals, many of which are still in use
(Mohammed Rahmatullah et al., 2009).
In the recent years, there has been a gradual
revival of interest in the use of medicinal plants in
developing countries because herbal medicines have
been reported to be safe, without any side effects
especially when compared to synthetic drugs. The
medicinal values of these plants lie in the secondary
metabolites that produce a definite physiological action
on the human body. The use of plant materials to
prevent and treat infectious diseases successfully over
the years has attracted the attention of scientist’s
worldwide (Falodun et al., 2006).
The present investigation deals with the
phytochemical constants and preliminary phytochemical
screening of two potential medicinal plants;
Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L.
Stereospermum colais L. is a large straight stemmed
deciduous tree 18-30 m in height and 2.8 m in girth
found throughout the moist regions of India up to an
altitude of about 1200 m, chiefly in deciduous forests. It
is known as Yellow snake tree in English, Padri in Hindi
and Pathiri in Tamil (Parrota, 2001). The leaves are
use-full in otalgia, odantalgia, rheumatalgia, malarial
fever and wounds. The juice of the leaves mixed with
lime juice is used in maniacal cases. Decoction of the
leaves is used for treating chronic dyspepsia and also has
anti-pyretic properties.
Barringtonia acutangula L. locally known as
Samuthirappalam in Tamil, is a small to medium‐sized
evergreen tree, which belongs to the family
Lecythidaceae is native to coastal wetlands in Southern
Asia and Northern Australia. In India, it is common in
low lying areas and has been used by Indigenous groups
for a wide range of medicinal purposes. Extract of the
roots is hypoglycemic, aperient and expectorent, the leaf
juice is useful in diarrhoea, seeds are carminative and
anti‐emetic (Sahoo TA, 2008).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Plant collection and authentication
The leaf material of the plants
Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L.
(Voucher number BRT-P/005/2011 and BRT-
P/004/2011) was collected from Anna Hospital Campus,
Arumbakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu and Kovilanchery,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu India respectively in November
2011. The herbarium specimen was identified by Prof
Narasimhan of Botany Department, Madras Christian
College, Chennai. The leaves were separated from other
parts, washed, cleaned and dried for further use.
Preparation of Plant extract
Th e plant mater ials (leaves of
Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L.)
were air-dried at room temperature (26°C) for two
weeks, after which it was ground to a uniform powder.
The extracts of the leaf samples were prepared in a
sequential procedure by soaking 100 g of dried powder
in 900 ml of different solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate,
chloroform and methanol) for 48 h. At the end of each
respective extraction, the extracts were filtered using
Whatman filter paper. The filtrate was concentrated
under reduced pressure in vacuum at 40°C for 25 min
using a rotary evaporator (Superfit-ROTAVAP, India).
The percentage yield of extracts was calculated.
Florida and Sekar, 2012
110 Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 109-115

3. Phytochemical screening
Phytochemical screening for major constituents
was undertaken using standard qualitative methods.
Screening test were performed for Carbohydrates,
Tannins, Saponins Flavonoids, Cardiac glycosides,
Terpenoids, Triterpenoids, Phlobatannins,
Anthraquinones, Alkaloids, Quinones, Phenols,
Coumarins, Glycosides, Proteins, Steroids and
phytosteroids (Sofowora A, 1993 and Harborne JB
1973).
Fluorescence analysis of extracts
The leaf extracts are examined in daylight,
UV light of 365nm to detect the fluorescent compounds
by the reported method (Kokashi et al., 1958). The
observations are tabulated.
Physiochemical analysis
Total ash, acid-insoluble ash and
water-soluble ash values of Stereospermum colais L. and
Barringtonia acutangula L. leaf powder were done as
per the reported standard methods (Anonymous, 1985).
Extractive values were carried out according to the
official methods presented in Indian Pharmacopoeia
(4th edition, 1996).
RESULTS
Plant materials were collected and processed for
sequential extraction using Hexane, Ethyl acetate,
chloroform and methanol. The extractive yields are
tabulated (Table 1) for Stereospermum colais L. The
Preliminary phytochemical results in table 2 reveals the
presence of Flavonoids, Alkaloids, Quinones, Cardiac
glycosides, Terpenoids and Triterpenoids in all the four
solvent extracts of Stereospermum colais L.
Carbohydrates are present in ethyl acetate and methanol
extracts. Tannins were found to be absent in the Hexane
fraction. Table 3 indicates the extractive yield for
Barringtonia acutangula L. leaf powder. Table 4
indicates the phytochemical screening of
Barringtonia acutangula L. leaf powder. Flavonoids,
Alkaloids, Cardiac glycosides, Terpenoids and
Triterpenoids are strongly present in all the four solvent
extracts. Quinones, Phenols and coumarins are absent in
hexane solvent, but are strongly present in ethyl acetate
and methanol fraction. Steroids are present in ethyl
acetate and methanol fraction. Saponins are found in
Florida and Sekar, 2012
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 109-115 111
Solvent Percentage W/W
Hexane 0.906
Ethyl acetate 1.853
Chloroform 0.115
Methanol 6.68
Table 1: Extractive value of
Stereospermum colais L. Leaf powder
Test Hexane Ethylacetate Chloroform Methanol
Carbohydrate – + – +
Tannins – + + +
Saponin – – – –
Flavonoid + + + +
Alkaloid + + + +
Quinones + + + +
Glycosides – – – –
Cardiac glycosides + + + +
Terpenoids + + + +
Triterpenoids + + + +
Phenols – – – –
Coumarins – – + +
Steroids and Phytosteroids Steroids Steroids Steroids Steroids
Phlobatannins – – – –
Anthraquinones – – – –
Table 2: Phytochemical screening - Leaf extracts of Stereospermum colais L.

4. traces in Ethyl acetate and methanol fraction. Presence of
carbohydrates and tannins are revealed in Methanol
fraction.
Ash value of the drug reveals the idea of the
early matter or the inorganic composition and other
impurities present along with the drug. Total ash, acid-
insoluble ash and water-soluble ash values of
Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L.
leaf powder were tabulated in Table 5 and 6 respectively.
Acid soluble ash in both the plants was
comparatively higher than water soluble ash. Table 7 and
8 indicates the result of Fluorescence analysis of
Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L.
leaf powder.
DISCUSSION
Phytochemical test of crude extract of
Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L.
revealed the presence of flavonoid, alkaloid, quinones,
cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, tannins and triterpenoids.
Glycosides, Phlobatannins and Anthraquinones were
found to be absent. Alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids are
some of the most important bioactive components from
plants (Hill, 1952). Many tannin containing drugs are
used in medicine as astringent. They are used in the
treatment of burns as they precipitate the proteins of
exposed tissues to form a protective covering (Handa,
S.S. &Kapoor, V.K, 1992). They are also medically used
as healing agents in inflammation, leucorrhoea,
gonorrhoea, burns, piles and antidote (Ali, M, 1994).
Presence of tannins in Stereospermum colais L. indicates
potential effects against pathogenic microorganism
(Enzo AP, 2007). Occurrence of flavonoids in
Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L
are suggested to be involved with antibacterial and anti-
viral activity Padmavathi D et al., 2012) and (Vijaya
Bharathi R et al., 2010). Steroids in modern clinical
studies have supported their role as anti-inflammatory
and analgesic agents (Singh AP 2006). This could
explain the role of Stereospermum colais L. and
Barringtonia acutangula L. in clinical studies. The
presence of steroidal, saponins, cardiac glycosides
appear to be confined to many families and these
Florida and Sekar, 2012
112 Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 109-115
Solvent Percentage W/W
Hexane 2.068
Ethyl acetate 1.875
Chloroform 3.803
Methanol 7.808
Table 3: Extractive value of
Barringtonia acutangula L. Leaf powder
Test Hexane Ethylacetate Chloroform Methanol
Carbohydrate – – – +
Tannins – – – +
Saponin – + – +
Flavonoid + + + +
Alkaloid + + + +
Quinones – + + +
Glycosides – – – –
Cardiac glycosides + + + +
Terpenoids + + + +
Triterpenoids + + + –
Phenols – + + +
Coumarins – + + +
Steroids and Phytosteroids Phytosteroids Phytosteroids Steroids Steroids
Phlobatannins – – – –
Anthraquinones – – – –
Table 4: Phytochemical screening - Leaf extracts of Barringtonia acutangula L.

5. saponins have great pharmaceutical importance because
of their relationship to compounds such as the sex
hormones, cortisones, diuretic steroids, vitamin D
(Okwu, D.E., 2001). Saponin compound in
Stereospermum colais L. supports the usefulness of this
plant in the managing inflammation.
Physico-chemical constant is an important
parameter in detecting adulteration on improper handling
of drugs (Anonymous, 1985). The ash value and acid
insoluble ash value determination is importance in the
evaluation of crude drugs. The total ash is particularly
important in the evaluation of purity of drugs, the
presence or absence of foreign inorganic matter such as
metallic salts or silica. Many phytochemicals fluoresce
when suitably illuminated. The fluorescence colour is
specific for each compound. A non-fluorescent
compound may fluoresce if mixed with impurities that
are fluorescent. The fluorescent method is adequately
sensitive and enables the precise and accurate
determination of analyze over a satisfactory
concentration range without several time consuming
dilution steps prior to the analysis of pharmaceutical
samples (Pimenta, et al., 2006). Since the plants,
Stereospermum colais L. and Barringtonia acutangula L.
are useful in traditional medicine for the treatment of
various ailments, it is important to standardize in the
usage of drug.
CONCLUSION
The study concludes the presence of major
secondary metabolites, physiochemical, fluorescent
property and extractive yield using different solvents.
Therefore, this study states the importance of small
molecules from Stereospermum colais L. and
Barringtonia acutangula L. for treating various ailments.
Further, work can be extended in studying the separation
of bioactive compound and evaluation of the isolated
compound.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are thankful to the Head,
Department of Botany, Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai
for his constant support and encouragement.
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Florida and Sekar, 2012
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 109-115 113
Total Ash 5.9825
Water soluble Ash 21.35
Acid soluble Ash 56.33
Loss on drying 15.33
Table 5: Ash value of Stereospermum colais L.
Leaf powder
Total Ash 3.3727
Water soluble Ash 23.115
Acid soluble Ash 51.33
Loss on drying 2.089
Table 6: Ash value of Barringtonia acutangula L.
Leaf powder
Reaction Day light Uv light 365nm
Powder + NaOH Black Brown
Powder + Hcl Green Greenish yellow
Powder + H2SO4 Black Black
Powder + HNO3 Yellow Yellowish brown
Powder Green Dark geeen
Table 7: Fluorescence analysis of
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Reaction Day light Uv light 365nm
Powder
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Yellow Reddish
Powder + Hcl
Yellowinsh
green
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Powder + H2SO4 Reddish Reddish brown
Powder + HNO3 Golden brown Brownish red
Powder Brown Brown
Table 8: Fluorescence analysis of
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