WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES

Dharmasoth et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

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Volume 6, Issue 5, 618-625 Research Article ISSN 2278 – 4357

PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION OF PELTOPHORUM

PTEROCARPUM (DC.) BAKER EX HEYNE LEAF EXTRACT

Dharmasoth Rama Devi1* and B. Ganga Rao1

1
Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, A.U. College of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam-530 003, A.P, India.

ABSTRACT
Article Received on
10 March 2017, Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Baker Ex Heyne is belongs to family
Revised on 30 March 2017,
Fabaceae and has been widely used for therapeutic applications of the
Accepted on 21 April 2017
DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20175-8786 many diseases. In this paper, we report the preliminary phytochemical
screening of various extracts such as methanolic, hexane, pet ether,
ethyl acetate, chloroform, acetone and aqueous extracts of leaves of
*Corresponding Author
Dharmasoth Rama Devi
peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Baker Ex Heyne. The phytochemical
Department of investigation of various extracts of leaves of peltophorum pterocarpum
Pharmacognosy and (DC.) Baker Ex Heyne reveals the presence of various phytochemicals
Phytochemistry, A.U. such as sterols, terpenoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins
College of Pharmaceutical
flavonoids, phenols, and glycosides. It is also found that the absence of
Sciences, Andhra
University, Visakhapatnam-
saponins in leaf extracts. The preliminary phytochemical screening of
530 003, A.P, India. leaf extracts of peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Baker Ex Heyne
draws attention to the need for further investigation of the active
secondary metabolites presented in the leaves for the treatment of various emerging diseases
and also to understand their mode of action in controlling various diseases.

KEYWORDS: peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Baker Ex Heyne, phytochemical tests,

Extracts Secondary metabolites and diseases.

INTRODUCTION
Herbal medicine is the oldest form of health care known to mankind. Many drugs commonly
used today are of herbal origin. Due to the threat of new diseases, the research in herbal
medicine and drug discovery need to be focus of interest. The plants are known for a great
source of herbal medicine and natural products for many therapeutic applications. During the
past two decades, bioactive natural products derived from plant sources have received

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Dharmasoth et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

attracted attention over conventional synthetic drugs for therapeutic application due to
unwanted side effects, development of resistance and other limitations from the uses of
synthetic drugs. The bioactive natural products which are extracted from medicinal plants
show minimal resistance and negligible side effects. In addition to therapeutic applications of
medicinal plants, they are also a great source of chemical constituents which could be act as
newer leads and guide for modern drug design and development.[1] The plants consist of very
important class of phytoconstituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, glycosides,
terpenes, tannins and phenolic compounds, which were used treatment of various diseases.[2]
It is well known that there is a strong correlation between the phytoconstituents and their
bioactivity towards the diseases is potential tool for the design and synthesis of new bioactive
compounds with specific activities for treatment of various diseases.[3] Therefore, it is highly
desirable to investigate preliminary phytochemical screening of plants in order to discover
and develop novel bioactive therapeutic drugs with improved efficacy.

In this paper, we report phytochemical screening of different extract such as methanolic,

hexane, pet ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform, acetone and aqueous of leaves of Peltophorum
pterocarpum(D.C) Baker Ex Heyne, a popular shade tree for a large landscape. Peltophorum
pterocarpum (D.C) Baker Ex Heyne is an ornamental tree and it belong a family of Fabaceae.
It is native to tropical South-Eastern Asia and a popularly ornamental tree grown around the
world. The plant is grown in South-Eastern Asia and northern Australasia, in Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and the islands of
the coast of Northern Territory, Australia.[4] The plant is also found in different regions of
India including Birbhum District, West Bengal. It is a deciduous tree with height ranges from
15 to 25 m and a trunk diameter of up to 1 m. The leaves of peltophorum pterocarpum (D.C)
Baker Ex Heyne are bipinnate, 30-60 cm long, with 16-20 pinnae, each pinna with 20-40 oval
leaflets 8-25 mm long and 4-10 mm broad. The yellow flowers of peltophorum pterocarpum
(D.C) Baker Ex Heyne have diameter ranges from 2.5-4 cm. The fruit containing one to four
seeds and length is 5-10 cm long and broad is about 2.5 cm. It has used for many traditional
applications such as astringent to relieve intestinal disorder, after pain at child birth, sprains,
bruises and swelling, lotion for eye troubles, muscular pains and sores, gargles and tooth
powders.[5-7]

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EXPERIMENTAL
Collection and Authentication of Plant: The leaves of Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.)
Baker K. Heyne were collected in April (19) 2014 from Andhra University campus, Andhra
Pradesh, India and same authenticated by Dr. B. S. Padal, taxonomist, Department of Botany,
Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The Voucher specimens A.U. (B.D.H),
NO.21917 were deposited in the herbarium, A.U. College of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
Andhra University.

Preliminary Phytochemical investigation: The preliminary phytochemical investigation of

methanolic, hexane, pet ether, ethyl acetate, chloroform, acetone and aqueous leaf extract of
Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Baker K. Heyne[6-8] was based on reaction of specific
reagents to extract by formation of colour change or precipitate.

Reagent preparation for phytochemical investigation: 1% ammonia: 1ml of ammonia

dissolved in 99 ml of distilled water. 1 % ammonium chloride: 1 g of ammonium chloride
was dissolved in 100 ml distilled water. Mayer’s reagent: It is used for the detection of
alkaloids. Solution (a) 1.36 g of mercuric chloride is dissolved in 60ml of distilled water. (b)
5 g of potassium iodide is dissolved in 20 ml of distilled water Solution (a) and (b) are mixed
and the volume was adjusted to 100 ml with distilled water.

Wagner’s reagent: It is a general reagent for the detection of alkaloids. 1.27 g of iodine and
2 g of potassium iodide was dissolve in 5 ml of water and the volume was made 100 ml with
distilled water.

Fehling’s solution: It is used for the detection of reducing sugars. 34.66 g of copper sulphate
is dissolved in distilled water and the volume was made to 500 ml (Solution-a). 173 g of
potassium sodium tartrate and 50 g of sodium hydroxide in D/W was dissolved and volume
was made up to 500 ml (solution -b).

The two solutions were mixed in equal volume for prior use. Ferric Chloride (alcoholic): A 5
% w/v solution of ferric chloride in 90 % alcohol is used for the detection of phenols.

Lead acetate: A 25 % basic lead acetate solution is used for the detection of flavonoid. Tests
for phytochemical Screening:

Test for Sterols: Two tests Salkowski test and Liebermann-Burchard test were performed.
Test gave a positive result hence confirms the presence of Sterols.

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Dharmasoth et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Salkowski test: In 2 ml of plant extract, 2ml of chloroform and 2 ml of concentrated H2SO4

was added and shaken well. Chloroform layer appeared red and acid layer greenish yellow
fluorescent. This confirms the presence of sterols.

Liebermann-Burchard Test: 2 ml of methanolic plant extract was mixed with chloroform.

1-2 ml acetic anhydride and 2 drops of concentrated H2SO4 from the side of the test tube was
added in the mixture. First red, then blue and finally green colour indicates the presence of
sterols.

Test for Terpenoids: Salkowski test gave a positive result hence confirms the presence of
Terpenoids.

Salkowski test:The extract was mixed with 2 ml of chloroform and concentrated H2SO4 (3
ml) is carefully added to form a layer. A reddish brown colouration of the interface is formed
to show positive result of the presence of terpenoids.

Test for Alkaloids: Mayer’s reagent and Wagner’s reagent confirmed the presence of
Alkaloids in the extract. The Methanolic plant extract was warmed with 2 % H2SO4 for two
minutes. It is filtered and few drops of reagents were added separately.

a. Mayer’s reagent-A creamy- white colored precipitation appeared giving a positive result.

b. Wagner’s reagent-A reddish-brown precipitate appeared which also confirms the

presence of alkaloids in the extract.

c. Test for carbohydrates: Molisch test and Fehling’s test confirmed the presence of
carbohydrate.

d. Molisch’s test: Treat extract with few drops of alcoholic alpha-naphthol. Add 0.2 ml of
conc. sulphuric acid slowly along the sides of test tube, purple to violet colour ring appears at
the junction.

e. Fehling’s Test: Fehling A and Fehling B reagents were mixed and few drops of extract is
added and boiled. A brick red coloured precipitate of cuprous oxide forms, hence it confirms
the presence of carbohydrates.

f. Test for Flavonoids: Ammonium Test and Aluminum Chloride Test did not confirm the
presence of flavonoids in the methanolic plant extract. A small quantity of the extract is

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heated with 10 ml of ethyl acetate in boiling water for 3 minutes. The mixture is filtered and
the filtrates are used for the following test.

g. Ammonium Test
The filtrate was shaken with 1 ml of dilute ammonia solution (1%). The layers were allowed
to separate. A yellow colouration was observed at ammonia layer which confirms the absence
of the flavonoid from the plant extract.

h. Aluminium Chloride Test

The filtrates were shaken with 1 ml of 1 % aluminum chloride solution and observed for light
yellow color, appeared indicating the of flavonoids. The light yellow colour indicates the
presence of flavonoid and when dilute NaOH and HCl is added the yellow solution turns
colorless. Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of Methanolic Extract of peltophorum
pterocarpum.

i. Test for Tannins

Ferric Chloride Test and Lead Sub Acetate Test confirmed the presence of Tannins in the
plant extract. A small quantity of the extract is boiled with 5 ml of 45% solution of ethanol
for 5 minutes. Each of the mixture is cooled and filtered. The different filtrates were used for
the following test:

j. Ferric Chloride Test

1ml each of filtrate is diluted with distilled water and two drops of ferric chloride is added. A
transient greenish to black color indicated the presence of Tannins.

k. Lead Sub Acetate Test

1 ml of the different filtrate was added with three drops of lead sub acetate solution. A
creamy gelatinous precipitation, indicates positive test for Tannins.

l. Test for Phenols

Phenols were absent in the methanolic plant extract. Ellagic Acid Test: The test solution was
treated with few drops of 5% (w/v) glacial acetic acid and 5% (w/v) NaNO2 solution,
indicates positive test for phenols.

m. Test for Glycosides

Keller-Kiliani Test and Concentrate H2SO4 Test confirmed the presence of Glycosides in the
methanolic plant extract. Keller-Kiliani Test: In 2 ml plant extract, glacial acetic acid, one

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drop of 5% FeCl3 and conc. H2SO4 were added. Reddish brown color appears at junction of
the two liquid layers and upper layer appears bluish green, confirming the presence of
glycosides.

n. Concentrate H2SO4 Test

In 5ml plant extract, 2ml glacial acetic acid, one drop of 5% FeCl3 and conc. H2SO4 were
added. Brown ring appears, indicating the presence of glycosides.

o. Test for Saponin

Foam test and haemolytic test were conducted which gave a negative result. Foam Test: The
extract was diluted with 20 ml of distilled water and it was shaken in a graduated cylinder for
15 minutes. A layer of foam was not formed which indicated the absence of Saponin.

p. Haemolysis Tests
Leaves extracts were added to one drop of blood placed on a glass slide. The Haemolytic
zone was not observed. The test confirms absence of Saponin for all leaf extracts.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The image of leaves of Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Baker K. Heyne was depicted in
Fig.1.

Fig.1 Image of leave of Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Baker K. Heyne (bipinnate)

Table No.1. The taxonomical classification of Peltophorum pterocarpum (D.C) Baker Ex

Heyne.
Kingdom Plantae
Unmarked Angiosperms
Unmarked Eudicots
Unmarked Rosids
Order Fabales

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Family Fabaceae
Sub-family Caesalpiniaceaea
Genus Peltophorum
Species P. pterocarpum
Binomial name Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) BakerK. Heyne

The phytochemical investigation of all extracts of leaves of Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.)

Baker K. Heyne reveals presence of Sterols, Terpenoids, Alkaloids, Carbohydrates,
Flavonoids, Phenols, Tannins and Glycoside, while, Saponins was absent (Table No.2).

Table No 2: Photochemical screenings of different extracts

Chemical tests Hexane Pet ether Ethyl acetate Chloroform Acetone Methanol Aqueous
Triterpinoids + + + + + + +
Saponins - - - - - - -
a) Foam Test
Alkaloids - + + + + ++ +
Carbohydrates - - - + - - +
Flavanoids + + + + + + +
Tannins - - + + + + +
Glycosides - + + + + + +
Phenols - + + + + + +
CONCLUSION
The preliminary phytochemical investigation of of all extracts of leaves of Peltophorum
pterocarpum (DC.) Baker K. Heyne. Selected ten medicinal plants are the source of the
secondary metabolites i.e., alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phlobatannins and reducing
sugars. Medicinal plants play a vital role in preventing various diseases. The antidiuretic,
anti-inflammatory, antianalgesic, anticancer, anti-viral, anti-malarial, anti-bacterial and anti-
fungal activities of the medicinal plants are due to the presence of the above mentioned
secondary metabolites. Medicinal plants are used for discovering and screening of the
phytochemical constituents which are very helpful for the manufacturing of new drugs. The
previous phytochemical analysis and present studied show nearly the similar results due to
the presence of the phytochemical constituents. The phytochemical analysis of the medicinal
plants are also important and have commercial interest in both research institutes and
pharmaceuticals companies for the manufacturing of the new drugs for treatment of various
diseases. Thus we hope that the important phytochemical properties identified by our study in
the local plant of Mardan will be helpful in the copping different diseases of this particular
region. WHO has emphasized the need to ensure the evaluations of physicochemical and
phytochemical properties are essential to standardize the various Unani formulations. In this

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connection, the authors investigated the stated parameters. This is an attempt to establish the
scientific basis for identifying crude drugs.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author, Dharmasoth Rama Devi is grateful to the UGC, New Delhi for providing
research fellowship under RGNF scheme.

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