Preliminary pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Portulaca quadrifida Linn

Abstract

The whole plant material of Portulaca quadrifida Linn. was collected and powedered. The powdered material was subjected to successive soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether (40-60°), chloroform, ethanol and finally macerated with water so as to get respective extracts. Fluorescence characters of powdered material were analysed under ultraviolet light and under ordinary light, which signifies their characteristics. Physicochemical parameters such as total ash value, acid insoluble ash value and water soluble ash value were determined which were 9.76, 0.94 and 5.8% respectively. Moisture content, foreign organic matter, crude fibre content, alcohol soluble extractive and water soluble extractive were also determined. The percentage yield of petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water were 2.8, 2.0, 2.4 and 12% respectively. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of different extracts was carried out. The results were positive for tannins,flavonoids and triterpenoids in petroleum ether extract. Chloroform extract showed positive test for tannins only, ethanolic extract exhibited positive test for alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, glycosides, tannins, amino acids and saponins where as aqueous extract was found to be positive for flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, amino acids and saponins. These secondary metabolites are the active constituents of Portulaca quadrifida Linn. and may be responsible for its pharmacological activities.