Phytochemical screening and ionomic analysis of selected RET medicinal plants of eastern Himalayan region

Abstract

The study was conducted at Dept. of Horticulture, Sikkim University, Gangtok during 2017-2018 with an objective to study phytochemical and ionomic analysis of RET medicinal plants of Himalayan region. In the present study on phytochemical and ionomic analysis of RET medicinal plants, the stem and leaf samples of Swertia chirata, Clematix bouchiana, Gingko biloba and Valeriana jatamansi were collected from Kalimpong, W.B. The selected medicinal plants have been recommended as remedies for innumerable ailments in traditional medicinal system. The phytochemicals are thought to be largely responsible for the protective health benefits and are naturally occurring compounds in the plants. Among phytochemicals, screening was done for alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and saponins. Study of trace elements in (RET) medicinal plants is of prime importance and ICP-MS was used for ionomic analysis. The presence of (Ba, Pb, Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, S, Mg, Na, B, Zn, Hg. Si.) elements below the permissible limits for consumption were reported in this study. All the phytochemicals i.e. alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and terpenoids were found in all the plants in this study except saponins. Diversity of groups of phytochemicals in the medicinal plants taken in present study helps us to strengthen potential of use of plants under this study as medicines and emphasis should be given on their intensive cultivation as well development of standard package of practices of these RET medicinal plants.