Phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of Plumbago indica L

Abstract

This study was conducted with the leaves of plant Plumbago indica L. (Family: Plumbaginaceae) to investigate the pharmacognostical standards and the biological activities especially the possible cytotoxic effects. The powder from the leaves of Plumbago indica L was soaked with methanol and kept for 15 days. After then it was filtered and kept in open air for evaporation. After evaporation the concentrated methanol extract was then stored for further uses. Testing of different chemical groups present in extract represents the preliminary pharmacognostical studies. The chemical group tests are performed by 10% (w/v) solution of the extract of Plumbago indica L. In methanol. Reducing sugar, alkaloids, flavonoids, gum and steroids are found. In the brine shrimp lethality bioassay, the LC50 and LC 90 value were found to be 4.57µg/ml and 9.87µg/ml for crude methanolic extract of Plumbago indica L. Based on these results we can say that this plant may have uses for traditional medicine. This is only a preliminary study and to make final comment, the drug should thoroughly investigated phytochemically and pharmacologically to explore their medicinal and pharmaceutical potentialities.