Histochemical and Phytochemical Analysis of Medicinally Important Plants

The present study was aimed to investigate the histochemical and phytochemical studies of four important medicinal plants. Leaf, stem and root sections were examined for alkaloid, protein and phenolic tests. Methanolic extracts of leaf, stem and root were analysed for the phytochemical screening of major bioactive constituents. Histochemical analysis reveals the presence of alkaloids, phenols and proteins in epidermis, cortex and vascular bundles of root, stem and leaf. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, terpenoids, coumarins, quinone and proteins. The root extract of Catharanthus roseus recorded maximum content of phenols compared to other extracts. Costus pictus root and leaf extracts exhibited a significant amount of flavonoids and tannins respectively. Further studies were focused on isolation and characterization of each plant compounds.