A Comprehensive Chemical Characterization of Leaves of Five Potential Medicinal Plants in Paschim Medinipur District, W. B., India

Abstract

The physico-chemical and spectroscopic characterization of five selected medicinal plants viz., Acalypha indica, Senna tora, Euphorbia hirta, Physalis angulata and Ziziphus mauritina are the essence and has been carried out to assess bioactive potential and to establish traditional belief in the light of scientific interpretation. Fresh leaves were collected from Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal, India, dried and powdered for Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis and compositional analysis, FTIR and GCMS. The study revealed that the highest concentration of Volatile matter (75.452%), Bulk density (0.256 %), Swelling index (1.456 %), Cellulose content (61.727 %), Hemicellulose content (4.372 %) and Tannins (0.635 g/ 100g) was observed to occur in Acalypha indica leaf than other experimental plants. In Physalis angulata the percentage composition of fixed carbon (15.251%) and extractive content (1.974 %) was higher than others. Ash content (12.327 %), hemicellulose content (4.372 %), and lignin content (5.531 %) were observed to be higher in the Senna tora leaf than others. Total carbohydrate concentrations (9.619 gm/100 gm) and nitrogen content (2.050 %) were observed to be higher in Euphorbia hirta than others. Total protein (2.321 gm/100 gm), total fat (0.655 gm/100 gm), oxygen content (34.222 %) and Higher heat value (HHV) (16.546 %) were higher in Ziziphus mauritina than others. The existence of functional groups and the relevance of the presence of a specific bioactive component were determined using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) of the leaves of five plant samples. According to GCMS (Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy), five different medicinal plants contain significant bioactive chemicals. By using GC-MS analysis, a total of 10 bioactive compounds (Acalypha indica, Senna tora) and 8 bioactive compounds (Ziziphus mauritina, Euphorbia hirta, Physalis Angulata) were found in the peaks of methanolic extracts of five potential medicinal plants. The bioactive compounds like Cyclotrisiloxane, Hexamethyl-, Dodecane, 1-Fluoro-, Myo-Inositol, 4-C-Methyl obtained from Acalypha indica leaf extract, Palmitic Acid, Phthalic Acid, Cyclopentadecanol obtained from Senna tora leaf extract and 4-Tert-Octylphenol, TMS Derivative obtained from Euphorbia hirta leaf extract has no records of individual bioactivity as per Dr. Duke’s ethnobotanical and pharmaceutical database and are considered as novel bioactive compounds. Isolation of these compounds and successive bioactivity studies should be the thrust area for future researchers. Also, the current study confirms that specific plant leaves are a great source of important phytochemicals and can be used to make herbal formulations, practical medications, and complementary medicines.