Vol. 14, Issue 8 (2025)

Author(s):
Aswathy V Nair, SR Suja, R Prakashkumar and Sushamaraj RV

Abstract:
Phytochemicals are naturally occurring chemical compounds in plants with the potential to prevent diseases. Phyllocephalum rangacharii (Gamble) Narayana (Asteraceae), locally known as Garumath, is used medicinally by the Cholanaikkan tribal community of Kerala for the treatment of wounds and related inflammatory conditions. The objectives of the present study are the detection of phytochemical compounds present in the extracts of P. rangacharii through qualitative phytochemical analysis and the quantification of major phytochemicals. Preliminary phytochemical screening of ethanolic, hydroethanolic, and aqueous extracts of the plant powder was carried out. The quantitative estimation of total phenols, total flavonoids, and total tannin content in the three extracts was also conducted. The analysis of the results concludes that the hydroethanolic extract contains significant phytochemical compounds such as flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and terpenoids. The quantitative estimation of the three extracts shows that hydroethanolic extract contains the comparatively highest quantity of phenols, flavonoids, and tannins. The data obtained from the phytochemical investigation of P. rangacharii supports its use in tribal medicine as wound-healing and anti-inflammatory medicine.