Quantitative Phytochemical Evaluation of Stem Bark Extracts of Harungana madagascariensis

Aims: The study was conducted to quantify some phytochemicals present in hydroethanol (absolute ethanol: water 1:1 v/v) and methanol extracts of Harungana madagascariensis stem bark traditionally used in the management of diabetes mellitus.
Methodology: Hydroethanol and methanol extracts of H. madagascariensis were separately prepared from the stem bark powder. The quantitative phytochemical analysis of the hydroethanol and methanol crude extracts were carried out by employing standard conventional protocols for total phenols, tannin, saponin, alkaloids, and anthraquinone from plants.
Results: Both samples showed the presence of all phytochemicals investigated. The study revealed that hydroethanol extract of H. madagascariensis stem bark contained higher amounts of bioactive compounds (65.72%±3.36, 7.22%±0.20, 2.45%±0.42 and 0.54%±0.04) in comparison with the methanol extract (52.54%±2.35, 3.50%±0.17, 0.60%±0.05 and 0.42%±0.02) for total phenols, tannin, alkaloids, and anthraquinone respectively. Amongst these, only total phenols and tannins were significantly (P<0.05) higher. The exception to this trend was in saponin which was higher in the methanol extract (0.59%±0.06) as opposed to 0.38%±0.11 in the hydroethanol extract.
Conclusion: Thus in all phytochemicals studied, hydroethanol extract of H. madagascariensis stem bark was found to be richer than the methanol extract. Saponin was the only exception. It can be concluded that bioactive compounds are more abundant in hydroethanol extract, and this potential could further be exploited in drug development.