PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF LEAF AND BARK EXTRACTS OF M. HEXANDRA (ROXB.)- A VALUABLE MEDICINAL PLANT

Phytoconstituents from leaf and bark extracts of M. hexandra have been analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by respective standard procedures. Plant contain rich contents of carbohydrate and protein which was estimated by phenol- sulphuric acid method and Lowry’s method respectively. Total carbohydrate contents were found 39% and 32.35% and total starch contents were found 44.95% and 38.1% of dry mass in leaf and bark respectively. Total protein content was estimated 5.03% in leaf and 32.9% in bark. Total lipid content was found low 0.05 % for both extracts. Total phenol content was estimated via folin ciocalteau method and it was found 0.52% in leaf and 1.46% of dry mass in bark. Soxhlet extraction procedure was used to prepare methanol, petroleum ether and chloroform extracts for estimation of presence of various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids and sterols and their presence were identified via Thin layer chromatography. Various standard analytical tests were also performed for detection of both primary and secondary metabolites in leaf and bark extracts of M. hexandra. The findings of the study provided evidence that the stem bark and leaf of the plant possessed bio active compounds. It justifies their use in the traditional medicines for the treatment of different diseases.