Ethnomedicinal survey and determination of total alkaloids and phenolics in selected edible plants of Tripura, India

Abstract

A large number of plants are being used as medicinal agents by local people, healers and trainees in Tripura, India. The scientific validation of these plants is not satisfactory. The present work aims to explore tradomedicinal importance and determine the total alkaloids and phenolics from selected edible plants. Information about 21 edible wild plants with 24 plants parts were collected from oral interviews with traditional healers of Tripura. Total alkaloids and phenolics were screened and estimated by standard pharmacognostic procedure. Based on the field survey, it was found that 21 edible wild plants with 24 plants parts have been using to combat and cure various common daily ailments. These plant parts were further screened for the presence of phytochemicals. Results showed that Ziziphus jujuba (Mill.) bark was most abundant in alkaloids (4.18±0.005 g% W/W) and Sesamum indicum (Linn.) seeds contain minimum amount of alkaloids (0.43 ±0.005 g% W/W). On the other hand, Areca catechu (Linn.) seeds was found most abundant in total phenolics (21.309 ± 0.200 W/W mg/g TA) and mesocarp of Musa acuminata (Colla) contained minimum amount of phenolics (1.739 ± 0.032 mg/g W/W TA). The data obtained from the field survey and preliminary phytochemicals analysis in the present paper provides basic understanding on the rationality of herbal remedies. Thus, knowledge of potent therapeutic value of our daily edible plants would help us to use them more appropriately.