COMPARISON OF THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF LEAVES AND SEEDS OF KATKARANJ (Ceasalpinia bonduc)
Caesalpinia bonduc (Caesalpiniaceae), commonly known as Kat-karanj, is well known for its medicinal value in Indian Ayurveda. However, more experimental data need to be collected in order to scientifically prove its efficacy. The present study was planned to compare the physicochemical analysis and phytochemical screening of leaves and seeds of C. bonduc. Both leaves and seeds of plant are medicinally important and used as anti-inflammatory, antihelminitic, antidiabetic and antioxidant. Six samples of each extract (methanol and ethanol) of leaves and seeds were standardized according to the methods recommended by the World Health Organization and standard laboratory procedures. The percentage of total ash, acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash (7.29%, 0.41% & 4.65%) were found in leaves when compared with seeds (4.20%, 0.26% & 0.92%). Percentage of extractive value of water soluble and alcohol soluble (4.65% & 5.68%) in leaves were slightly higher than seeds (0.92% & 4.40%) and percentage of moisture content was found in seeds slightly lower than leaves. Preliminary phytochemical screening of these plant materials revealed that presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, phytosterols and carbohydrates in methanol and ethanol extracts. This comparative information provides immense potential for studying their activities for various disease conditions, both in pre-clinical and clinical stages, which lead to the preparation of useful pharmaceutical products