Preliminary phytochemical screening from leaf and seed extracts of Senna alata L. Roxb-an Ethnomedicinalplant.

Aim: The bioactive compounds present in the plant are responsible for the medicinal properties of the plant. The present investigation is aimed in screening the bioactive compounds present in the seed and fresh, dry leaves of S.alata - an important ethnomedicinal plant. The objectives of the work includes i) the screening of various bioactive compounds present in the seed, fresh and dry leaves of S.alata. ii) To identify the bio active compounds present in the fresh leaf extracts by Thin layer chromatography. Methodology: Qualitative analysis for the presence of phytochemicals was performed using methanol, chloroform, petroleum ether and aqueous extracts of seed and both fresh and dry leaves of Senna alata by various standard techniques available [1-4]. Among the various extracts used for phytochemical analysis, only the fresh leaf extracts were proceeded for TLC for further identification of the phytoconstituents. The solvent system selected for the best results of TLC was ethyl acetate: methanol: water in the ratio 36:36:28. Result: Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, resins, anthraquinones, phlobatannins, tannins, saponins, glycosides and phenols in all the extracts in varying quantities. TLC analysisresulted in identification of 4 spots in benzene extract, 3 each for chloroform, methanol, aqueous extracts and 2 spots for the petroleum ether extracts. Conclusion: Since the plant contains high amounts of these bioactive compounds, it is reliable to possess large number of medicinal values like anticancerous, antimutagenic, antioxidant, antifungal, laxative and antibacterial activities.