Exploration of bioactive compounds in Operculina Turpethum L.

Abstract

A plant in the morning glory family, Operculina turpethum (syn. Ipomoea turpethum) is known commonly as turpeth. Operculina turpethum L. is a highly perennial medicinal plant of the family Convolvulaceae. Plant kingdom harbours an inexhaustible source of bioactive ingredients valuable in the management of many intractable diseases. Phytochemical techniques played a significant role in searching raw materials and resources for pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, the active components of herbal remedies have the advantages of being combined with many other substances that appear to be inactive. However, these complementary components give the plant as a whole a safety and efficiency much superior to that of its isolated and pure active components. The use of medicinal plants to treat human disease has its roots in pre-historic times. A wide range of medicinal plants part is used for extract as raw drugs and they possess varied medicinal properties. Quantitative phytochemical analysis such as Alkaloids, Bitters, Saponins, Mucilage, and Tannins were conducted to evaluation of crude extracts of different plant parts such as leaf, stem, root, flower and fruit of Operculina turpethum L. Finding of the study of crude extracts of the Operculina turpethum L. revealed the quantification of Total Alkaloids, Bitters, Saponins, Mucilage, and Tannins. It equally ascertains the bioactive compounds in the plant, thus concluding with the potential therapeutic significance of the plant as a natural source.