Comparative Phytochemical Screening and Biological Activity Assessment of Jatropha integerrima and Evolvulus nummularius

Medicinal plants have long been used as natural remedies due to the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, and glycosides. These phytochemicals possess various pharmacological activities including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects.

1.1 Evolvulus nummularius

It is a member of the Convolvulaceae family of plants and is frequently known as dollarweed or little morning glory. It is a perennial, creeping herb that grows coffee and is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas, including parts of South America, Africa, and India. The plant's many pharmacological properties, which include anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-weight problem residences, make it valuable in traditional medical medication structures [1]. In terms of morphology, the well-known Evolvulus nummularius exhibits a creeping habit, covering the soil floor with dense mats. Its thin, wiry stems often root at nodes, enabling full-size horizontal development.

The tiny, oppositely oriented leaves on the stalk are spherical to rectangular in shape. They have a crisp texture, fine hairs, and a slightly succulent quality that helps them hold onto water. Depending on the climate, the plant produces small, funnel-shaped flowers with a golden neck that are typically blue, violet, or red. These flowers bloom throughout the year. Small, tablet-like fruits with many seeds that aid in propagation often follow the length of flowering [2].

Important traditional and potential medicinal uses are followings [3].

• Wound healing: The plant is thought for its wound-healing houses, used to deal with cuts, burns, and wounds.
• Anthelmintic: it has been used as an anthelmintic, meaning it can assist expel worms and different parasites. Scorpion stings: The plant is used to deal with scorpion stings.
• Hysteria and convulsions: a few conventional makes use of consist of treating hysteria and convulsions.
• Hepatoprotective residences: research indicates that compounds in E. nummularius might also have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory traits that defend the liver.
• Sedative houses: In a few conventional systems, the plant is used as sedative [4].

1.2 Chemical ingredients:

Overall, the various chemical composition of Evolvulus nummularius makes it a promising medicinal plant, warranting similarly clinical studies to absolutely explore and utilize its pharmacological residences [5]. Fuel chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of the ethyl acetate extract found out more than one bioactive molecules, consisting of methyl four-O-methyl-β-D-xylopyranoside, caryophyllene oxide, n-hexadecanoic acid, phytol, nine,12-octadecadienoic acid, β-tocopherol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, p-coumaric acid, and betulin. These compounds are associated with diverse biological sports, inclusive of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-decreasing results [6]. Furthermore, a recent comprehensive elemental and spectral take a look at performed in 2024 detected 28 critical and trace mineral elements within the aerial parts of the plant using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). UV-visible and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were also employed to characterize useful agencies, supplying further perception into the chemical composition [7]. Collectively, these findings underscore the wealthy phytochemical and mineral profile of E. nummularius, assisting its capability pharmacological applications [8].

1.3 Jatropha integerrima

Jatropha integerrima is a perennial shrub or small tree characterized by means of a woody, significantly branched stem that exudes a watery sap, which may also appear clear or slightly cloudy. The plant’s leaves are alternately arranged and display huge morphological variant, ranging from elliptic-ovate to lyrate or panduriform shapes. Typically, the leaves measure 7.5–15.3 cm in duration, with an acuminate apex and whole margins, contributing to the plant’s specific foliage. J. integerrima produces unisexual, brightly coloured plants that modify from purple to scarlet, each comprising five petals arranged in terminal cymose inflorescences. Following pollination, the plant life give rise to a three-lobed capsule that encases seeds super for their toxicity and dotted surface, a feature full-size for both ecological interactions and medicinal issues. These morphological traits, along with its reproductive and vegetative traits, make J. integerrima without problems identifiable in horticultural and ethnobotanical research. The plant has been extensively utilized in conventional medicinal drug, and its structural capabilities guide further exploration of its phytochemical and pharmacological potential [9].

Jatropha integerrima  is a flowering shrub or small tree belonging to the Euphorbiaceae (spurge) own family, widely known via commonplace names such as peregrina and highly spiced jatropha. It’s far native to Cuba and Hispaniola (the Caribbean islands), however due to its appealing look it's far now cultivated at some stage in tropical and subtropical regions of the arena for decorative and landscaping functions [10].

The plant commonly grows as a multi stemmed shrub achieving 2.5?–?five?meters in height, with smooth inexperienced leaves that can be entire, ovate, or shallowly lobed. Its maximum placing characteristic is the clusters of brightly coloured plants, normally scarlet pink to severe vermilion, which might be produced almost year round, making it enormously appropriate as an ornamental species in gardens and public spaces [11] [12].

1.4 Chemical constituent: Jatropha integerrima is a medicinal plant regarded for its rich and diverse phytochemical profile, which underlies its good sized therapeutic potential. The plant contains several lessons of bioactive compounds, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, glycosides, and coumarins, all of which make contributions to its pharmacological sports. These compounds have been widely associated with biological consequences which includes antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytoprotective actions, making Jatropha integerrima an critical species in each traditional and present day medicinal drug [13].

Previous studies have reported antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of the plant. The objective of the present study was to comparatively investigate the phytochemical constituents and biological activities of these medicinal plants.

1. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Extraction procedure

• Extraction method, e.g., maceration or Soxhlet extraction, using solvent(s) (e.g., ethanolic) for a defined period (e.g., 6-8 h) and repeated extraction cycles.
• Filtration, concentration (rotary evaporator), drying (vacuum or freeze-dry) to get the crude extract.
• Determination of yield (w/w %).

Preparation: Extraction of each flora changed into executed within the Pharmacology departmental Laboratories of IPSR Lucknow, in brief, five hundred grams (500 g) of each powdered plant cloth turned into soaked in 1000 ml of ethanol at room temperature for 48 hours. Filtration changed into then executed using Whatman number one filter paper and later concentrated underneath vacuum through rotary evaporation at forty? C. The concentrate become then weighed and transferred to an air tight sample bottle and stored at four? C looking ahead to use in bioassays. [14]

Fig no. 1 Extraction of bioactive compound Evolvulus Nummularius and Jatropha integerrima

2.2 Phytochemical screening:

2.2.1 Evolvulus nummarilius: The freshly prepared crude extracts of E. nummularius were qualitatively tested for the presence of such exams [15] [16][17]

• Mayer's Test for Alkaloids:
  • Mayer's reagent was used to the ethanolic leaf extract of Evolvulus nummularius. Alkaloids were present when a cream-colored precipitate formed. The pharmacological activity of the plant may be influenced by these substances.
• Alkaline Reagent Test for Flavonoids:
  • After the sodium hydroxide solution was added, the extract had a strong yellow hue. When diluted acid was added, the color vanished, indicating the presence of flavonoids. The antioxidant effects are caused by flavonoids.
• Molisch's, Fehling's, and Benedict's tests for carbohydrates:
  • Carbohydrates and reducing sugars were confirmed by a violet ring in Molisch's test and brick-red precipitates in Fehling's and Benedict's tests. In plants, these substances are crucial sources of energy.
• Borntrager's Test for Glycosides:
  • After being treated with an ammonia solution, the extract turned pinkish-red, suggesting the presence of glycosides. Glycosides have a number of documented medicinal uses.
• Saponins (Foam Test):
  • After the extract was vigorously shaken with water, persistent foam production was seen. This demonstrated that Evolvulus nummularius leaves contain saponins.
• Spot Test for Fixed Oils:
  • On filter paper, the extract created a permanent translucent spot. This finding suggested the existence of fatty compounds and fixed oils.
• Proteins (Millon's Test):
  • A crimson hue was created by adding Millon's reagent and heating the mixture. This verified that the leaf extract included proteins.
• Ferric Chloride Test for Tannins:
  • When the ferric chloride solution was added, a greenish-black hue developed. This outcome verified the presence of tannins in the ethanolic extract.
    2. Jatropha integirrima: Phytochemical test the freshly prepared crude extracts of J Integerrima were qualitatively tested [18] [19]

• Test for Tannin: The Jatropha integerrima extract was mixed with a solution of ferric chloride. The presence of tannins was verified by the formation of a blue-black or greenish hue. Tannins have astringent and antioxidant qualities.
  Test for Flavonoids: The extract was treated with a sodium hydroxide solution, which gave it a yellow hue that vanished when diluted acid was added. This verified that flavonoids were present. The antioxidant properties of flavonoids are well established.
• Test for Cardiac Glycoside: Ferric chloride and strong sulfuric acid were applied to the extract. Heart glycosides were detected by the formation of a brown ring at the contact. These substances may affect the action of the heart muscle.
• Test for Phenol: After adding ferric chloride solution, the extract took on a bluish-green hue. This verified that phenolic chemicals were present. Antioxidant potential is influenced by phenols.
• Test for Alkaloids: A cream-colored precipitate was seen when Mayer's reagent was applied to the extract. This suggested that alkaloids were present. Alkaloids are significant secondary metabolites that are bioactive.
• Test for Saponin: Distilled water was used to shake the extract vigorously. The presence of saponins was confirmed by the stable froth production that continued for a few minutes. Saponins have hypolipidemic and anti-inflammatory properties.

2. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 Phytochemical Analysis

Phytochemical screening of Jatropha integirrima leaf discovered the presence of numerous biological energetic compounds together with tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and cyanogenic glycosides; which can be chargeable for the discovered antimicrobial movement of the go away. The leaf confirmed significant inhibition quarter against the take a look at microorganisms but can best be used for topical treatment due to its inedibility. Phytochemical screening of Evolvulus Nummarilius leaf discovered the presence of numerous biological energetic compounds consisting of Alkaloids, Flavonoids, and Carbohydrate. Glycosides Saponin, constant oil, Protein which can be answerable for the found antimicrobial motion. The leaf tested vast inhibition region towards the check microorganisms however can handiest be used for topical treatment due to its inedibility. Different qualitative and quantitative tests are used to detect secondary metabolites.

Table .1 phytochemical test extract of Jatropha Integirrima leaves

+++Extremely present, ++moderately present, +Present, -Absent

Table 2: Results of phytochemical test of E. nummularius extracts

+: show presence; - : show absence