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ABSTRACT: Terpenoid contents of traditionally used ethnobotanically important plants (n=25) were determined. Ethanol extracts of seeds, fruits, pods, branches, bark, rhizome and whole plant parts were prepared and preliminary phytochemical investigation was carried out. Total terpenoid contents in ethanol extracts were determined through qualitative and quantitative analytical assay by Salkowski test. Results of qualitative analysis revealed that the seeds, pods and fruits were rich in terpenoid contents. Whereas the quantitative analysis of ethanol extract showed that fruit of Carissa carandas and Lodoicea maldivica seeds of Erysimum cheiri, whole plant of Fagonia arabica and branches of Withania somnifera had 80% of total terpenoids contents. While, seeds of Ceiba speciosa contained 77%, rhizome of Berberis lyceum, flower of Rosa indica and fruit of Diospyros peregrina had 70% of total terpenoids contents. Terpenoid contents in all other selected plants ranged from 60 to 40%. This study would be helpful in the determination of therapeutic bioactive terpenoids that could be isolated and used for mankind welfare.
Key word: Terpenoids, Therapeutic use, Salkowski test, Terpenoids estimation.
INTRODUCTION
Plants produce a large numbers of secondary metabolites as bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, sterols and terpenes, etc., that have a major role in nutrition, physiology and control of diseases. Terpenoids are one of the most important classes of bioactive compounds in higher plants, hence the foremost task is the screening of these compounds in the plants. According to world health organization, 80% of the world's population rely upon such traditional plant-based systems of medicine to provide them with primary healthcare (WHO, 2004). The use of bioactive compounds as herbal medicines continues to expand rapidly across the world with many people now resorting to these products for treatment of various health challenges in different national healthcare settings (Ekor, 2013).
D.malabarica (Ebenaceae) contains antimicrobial, antioxidant and blood purifying compounds (Ravikumar et al, 2014). F.arabica (Zygophyllaceae) plant is used as blood purifier, anticancer, neuroprotective and is a source of fever remedy (Jayat et al., 2007). B.lycium (Berberidiaceae) plant has antispasmodic, antioxidant, antimicrobial properties and is used for treatment of Jaundice (Mashwani et al., 2013). R. Indica (Rosaceae) is medicinal and contains cardio-tonic, diuretic, expectorant, antiviral antioxidant, antibacterial, mutagenic/anti-mutagenic, anti-cholinesterase, antityrosinase and anti-diabetic properties (Zengin et al., 2014). F. lyrata contains antioxidant, antimicrobial...