Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND DETERMINATION OF TOTAL LEAF PIGMENTS AND VITAMIN CONTENT OF ARTEMISIA ABSINTHIUM A MEDICINAL PLANT FROM NORTHERN HIMALAYAS

Javid Iqbal Pandith

Abstract

Medicinal plants represent a rich source form which antimicrobial agents may be obtained. Plants are used medicinally in different countries and are a source of many potent and powerful drugs. The interest in the scientific investigations of the medicinal plants is based on the claims of their effective use for the treatment of many diseases. Attempts were made to study the phytochemical analysis of Artemisa absinthium to evaluate its application in alternate medicines. Results obtained revealed that the plant shows the presence of major phytocompounds in the acetonic solvent extract compared to that of ethanolic and aqueous extracts, further the plant was subjected for estimation of total leaf pigments and vitamins, and shows the presence of 0.343 ±0.001mg/g of total chlorophylls, 0.266 ±0.003mg/g of Carotenoids and 0.609 ±0.004 mg/g of total leaf pigments, Ascorbic acid 0.214 ±0.001 mg/g, Niacin 0.129 ±0.001 mg/g and Riboflavin 0.343 ±0.001 mg/g. it is concluded that plant has traditional usage in alternate medicines, which is attributed to the presence of these phytocompounds.

Keywords: Phytochemical analysis, Phytocompounds and Traditional usage.