TITLE: Phytochemical Screening for Active Compounds in Aloe Vera, Fiscus Auriculata, Melaleuca Cajuputi, Adiantum Pedatum and Carica Papaya.
Key Words: Phytochemical Screening, Active Compounds
INTRODUCTION
Among the many challenges that have swept across the planet earth today is that of the discovery of drugs that will help to fight the many diseases that exist and others still to come. In this endeavor herbs are proving worth facing the challenge. This can be attributed to modern research that has found out that plants contain bioactive (biologically active) compounds that play various roles when introduced into the body system. These bioactive compounds are called phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are different from vitamins and minerals in that they have no known nutritional value.
By definition, phytochemicals are, “a large group of plant derived compounds hypothesized to be responsible for much of the disease protection” (Heneman, 2008). The word “Phytochemical” is a compound word made of two words, “Phyto” meaning “plant” in the Greek language and the word “chemical”. Hence is a lay-man’s definition phytochemicals can be defined as non-nutritive chemical compounds that can be found in plant foods. Plant sources of phytochemicals include; fruits, vegetables and grains. “They accumulate in different parts of the plants, such as in the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits or seeds” (Saxena et al, 2013). With this knowledge phytochemical screening therefore refers to a test for identifying the presence of active compounds in a particular plant sample and active compounds are those compounds that trigger a biological response when introduced in the body.
Phytochemicals otherwise called phytoconstituents are known to be responsible for the color, flavor, odor and general appearance of plants. Research has also shown that some phytochemicals act as defense mechanism compounds “responsible for protecting the plant against microbial infections or infestations by pests” (Abo et al., 1991) and other environmental hazards. An example of such is those of the phenolic group. Concerning the total number of phytochemicals, scientists have found out that there are over 4, 000 known phytochemicals in plants. In their diversity phytochemicals are “classified according to their chemical structures and functional properties” (Webb, 2003).
As earlier stated, tens of thousands of phytochemicals have been discovered by researchers. Some among these so many phytochemicals include; alkaloids, glycosides, terpenes, phenols, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, anthraquinoes, essential oils, stylbenes, triterpenoids, lignans, xanthophylls, phytosterols, etcetera.
While each class or group of phytochemicals has its own mechanism of functioning, general ways in which phytochemicals affect the body include; as antioxidants, hormonal actions, stimulation of enzymes, interference with DNA replication, as antimicrobial, physical actions, anti-carcinogens, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcers, anti-inflammatory, multifunctional targets and much more to be discovered. By having such actions phytochemicals achieve great results in the fight against many diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, microbial diseases and infections, physical pain, coughs, stomatitis, scabies, rheumatisms, etcetera. However, the use and functioning of phytochemicals should not be limited to drugs only as they are also used in the manufacture of a great many chemicals needed for use by man such as soaps. Even animals benefit from the use of these phytochemical.
The future with phytochemicals is bright as increasing research continues to unearth the numberless benefits that can be got from phytochemicals. Bioengineering is also increasing the possibilities of having new kinds of plants with higher levels of phytochemicals. Among such research that is helping in the furthering of phytochemicals include practicals that are being carried out by undergraduate students in various Universities around the world. This report focuses on the results that were got during a practical carried out for the analysis of the presence of various phytochemicals in five different plants; Fiscus Auriculata (Elephant Ear Fig Tree or Roxburgh Fig), Aloe Vera, Adiantum Pedatum (Maindenhair Fern), Melaleuca Cajuputi (Cajuputi) and Carica Papaya (Paw-paw) . Phytochemicals that were screened for are; Flavonoids, Steroids and Saponins.
Read the whole report here...REPORT FOR MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY.pdf
