Phytochemical screening of stem extracts of Argyreia nervosa

Abstract

Argyreia nervosa (Convolvulaceae family) is commonly known as elephant creeper. It is well known for its medicinal importance. In the present study extraction of the stem of the plant was performed by three different methods namely maceration, soxhlation and decoction using solvents of different polarity. The extracts were analysed for the presence of various phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, anthocyanin, phlobatanin, tannin, proteins and amino acids, carbohydrates, phenol, saponins, anthraquinone, chalcones, glycoside, cardiac glycoside, carotenoids, gums & mucilage, emodin and starch. Maximum percentage yields were obtained from the extract prepared by maceration technique using methanol as solvent. Flavonoid was the dominant biomolecule detected to be present in all the extracts.