Proximate and phytochemical analysis of an Anticancerous Simarouba glauca leaves

Abstract

Simarouba glauca is commonly known as ‘Laxmitaru’ or ‘paradise tree’ and belongings to the family Simaroubaceae. Simarouba was first used as a remedy for dysentery, colitis and malaria. Infusion of the leaves or bark is considered to be astringent and used as a digestion and menstrual stimulant and an antiparasitic remedy. It is taken internally for diarrhea, dysentery, malaria and colitis. The leaves (and occasionally the bark) are boiled in water to yield a powerful astringent tonic used to wash skin sores and to treat stomach and bowel disorders, hemorrhages and internal bleeding. The S. glauca has promising antioxidant activity. The extract of S. glauca has been used in Guatemala for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In the present study the proximate and phytochemical analysis of simarouba leaves have been done. Both fresh and shade dried simarouba leaves were subjected to proximate analysis such as moisture, protein, fat, ash, fibre and total carbohydrates using standard reference protocols of AOAC (2000) and phytochemical properties such as total phenols, antioxidant activity and total flavonoids were also been analysed using standard protocols. From the results, it is evident that the plant Simarouba glauca leaves are found to have maximum amount of phytochemicals.