Abstract

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF VARIOUS SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF FICUS VASTA FORSSK. (FAMILY: MORACEAE), AN ETHIOPIAN FIG PLANT

Samuel Tadesse, Kumar Ganesan, Suresh Kumar P. Nair, Neethu Letha and Sharmila Banu Gani*

ABSTRACT

Background: Ficus vasta Forssk. (Amharic: warka) is found in Ethiopia and Yemen, popularly known as a fig plant. Plants of genus Ficus belongs to family Moraceae and have been extensively used for controlling the a variety of diseases. Purpose of the study: The aim of the present study was to perform preliminary phytochemical screening of aqueous, methanol, hexane and ethanol extracts of leaves, stems and fruits of Ficus vasta. Methods: The extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening using standard procedures. Results: The qualitative phytochemical screening of this plant confirmed the presence of various phytochemicals like alkaloids, proteins and aminoacids, Anthraquinones, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, total phenol and tannins. Whereas glycosides and triterpenoids were found to be absent. Conclusion: This preliminary study draws attention to the need for further studies of the active secondary metabolites identified in the reported species for the treatment of many diseases also to understand their mode of action in controlling various dreadful diseases.

Keywords: Ficus vasta Forssk, screening, solvent extracts, secondary metabolites.