Medicinal Chemistry Comparative Phytochemical Screening on Three Growth Stages of Pennisetum Pedicellatum Trin

Abstract

A comparative preliminary study on the extraction and phytochemical profile of methanolic extracts of the leave, stem and root of pennisetum pedicellatum Trin at three growth stages (i.e stage 1, stage 2, stage 3) was carried out. The extracts were analysed to determine the presence of phytochemicals in the plant. The study revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and steroids. Tanins were found only in the stems of the plants and steroids were found only in the leaves. The relevance of this difference in distribution is yet to be understood. More research is needed to explain this and other observations. Methanolic extraction of roots, stems and leaves of pennisetum pedicellatum indicated that leaves of stage 2 plants contain more phytochemicals (37.6g or 10.21%) as compared to all other plant parts and growth stages. The sample of stage 2 plants showed the least percentage yield (3.86%) as compared to all other parts and stages of growth.