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Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research 2012; 10 (1):19-21
ISSN 0976-3171
JCPR 2012;10 (1): 19-21
© 2010 Medipoeia
Received 2-9-2012
Revised: 7-9-2012
Accepted: 10-9-2012
Sreening of Ailanthus Excelsa Roxb. For Secondary
Metabolites
MAYURI P. NASWALE
ABSTRACT
Objective: Leaves of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. were investigated for secondary metabolites and
found different medicinal compounds as alkaloids, glycoside, phytosterols, saponins, phenolic
compounds and tannins and proteins.
MAYURI P. NASWALE
Department of Botany, Govt. Vidarbha
Institute of Science and Humanities,
Amravati (MS) India.
Materials & Methods: Dry powder of leaves was extracted with petroleum ether, acetone, ethanol
and distilled water. The solvent free extract obtained was then subjected to qualitative tests for the
identification of various plant constituent from the sample.
Results : The results revealed that among the four extracts ethanol and water extracts exhibited high
test for various chemical compounds where as petroleum ether and acetone extracts showed
moderate test or in sometime it was negative.
Conclusion: Phytochemical analysis of different extract of A. excelsa is useful for further studies of
pharmacological parameters.
Keywords: Ailanthus excelsa, phytochemistry, medicinal plant, extracts.
1. INTRODUCTION
Phytochemicals are natural chemicals that are produced by plants. They are non nutritive but
needed by the plants for the purpose such as disease and pathogen defense and control. They are
important in human health because they display different biological activities such as antioxidant, anti
inflammatory, anticancer and antibacterial activities. A. Excelsa Roxb. belonging to family
Simaroubaceae is commonly known as Maharukha. The traditional claims, phytochemical investigation,
pharmacological evaluation and some ayurvedic formulations provide the backbone to make this tree as a
plant of Heaven (Kumar D. et al. 2010). Traditionally or in Indian system of medicine, A. Excelsa Roxb.
is used in treatment of asthma, cough, colic pain, cancer, diabetes and also used as antispasmodic and
bronchodilator (Kumar D. et al. 2011).
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Extraction:
Plant material was first dried under shed and then powdered. The air dried powder was
extracted in Soxhlet’s assembly with acetone, petroleum ether, ethanol and distilled water. The extract
obtained in each solvent was concentrated, distilling off the solvent and evaporate to dryness. Extract
obtained in each solvent concentrated, solidified and weighed.
Chemical Test:
The solvent free extract obtained as above was then subjected to qualitative test for the
identification of various plant constituent from the sample.
Correspondence:
MAYURI P. NASWALE
Department of Botany, Govt.
Vidarbha Institute of Science and
Humanities, Amravati (MS) India.
Email- mpnaswale@gmail.com
Detection of Alkaloids:
The small portion of solvent free chloroform, alcoholic and water extract was transferred in
three test tube and was stirred with a few drops of dilute hydrochloric acid and filtered. The filtrate was
tested carefully with alkaloid reagents, such as Mayer’s reagent (Cream ppt), Dragendorff’s reagent
(Orange-brown ppt), Hager’s reagent (Yellow ppt) and Wagner’s reagent (Reddish-brown ppt).

Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research 2012; 10 (1):19-21
Detection of Carbohydrates and Glycosides:
A small quantity of alcoholic and aqueous extracts was
dissolved separately in 5 ml of distilled water and filtered. The
filtrate was subjected to Molisch’s test for detection of
carbohydrates.
Small portion of the same extract was hydrolyzed with
dilute hydrochloric acid for few hours in water bath and was
subjected to Libermann-Burchard’s test for detection of glycosides.
Detection of Phytosterols:
A small quantity of ether, ethanol and water extracts was
tested for presence of sterols with Libermann-Burchard’s reagent.
Detection of Fixed Oils:
A small quantity of petroleum ether and benzene extracts
was passed separately between two filter papers. Oil stains on the
paper indicated the presence of fixed oil.
Detection of Saponins:
About 1 ml of alcoholic and aqueous extracts was diluted
separately with distilled water to 20 ml and shaken in graduated
cylinder for 15 minutes. One cm layer of foam indicated presence
of saponins.
Detection of Phenolic Compounds and Tannins:
Small quantity of alcoholic and aqueous extracts in water
was tested for the presence of phenolic compounds and tannins
with dilute ferric chloride solution (5%) and 10% lead acetate
solution.
Detection of Proteins:
Small quantity of alcoholic and aqueous extract was
dissolved in a few ml of water and subjected to Biuret test.
Detection of Gums and Mucilages:
About 10 ml of aqueous extract was added to 25 ml of
absolute alcohol with constant stirring. The precipitate was dried in
air. It was examined for it’s swelling property.
Detection of Volatile Oils:
Volatile oil was detected in the ether extract. Aromatic
smell in the evaporated ether extract indicated presence of volatile
oils.
3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
Preliminary phytochemical screening has done of leaves
powder and results are incorporated in Table-I and Table–II. Result
in table I showed the texture and color of extracts in different
solvents. Results of the phytochemical screening were presented in
Table II. It revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides,
phytosterols, saponins, phenolic compounds and tannins and
proteins whereas fixed oils, gums, mucilage and volatile oils are
absent. In earlier study different medicinal compounds such as
Alkaloids, glycoside, phenol, phytosterols, saponins and tannins
were present (Baycu G. et al. 2008; Bhatt S. et al. 2012; Kumar D.
et al. 2010; Said A. et al. 2010).
Table I: Nature and Colour of various Extracts of Ailanthus
excelsa Roxb.
Extract Texture Colour
Acetone
Petroleum Ether
Ethanol
Table II
Test
Alkaloids
Distilled Water
Mayer’s
Dragendroff’s
Hager’s
Wagner’s
Carbohydrates
Glycosides
Molisch’s
Libermann-
Burchard’s
Phytosterols
Libermann-
Burchard’s
&
Sticky
Sticky
Sticky
Sticky
Petroleum
Ether
– ve
– ve
– ve
– ve
–ve
–ve
Green
Green
Green
Green
Acetone Ethanol Distilled
Water
–ve
–ve
–ve
–ve
–ve
–ve
+++ve
++ve
++ve
+++ve
++ve
++ve
+++ve
++ve
++ve
+++ve
+++ve
+++ve
++ve +ve ++ve –ve
Fixed Oils –ve –ve –ve –ve
Saponins –ve –ve ++ve ++ve
Phenolic Compounds &
Tannins
Proteins
Lead Acetate
Ferric chloride
–ve
–ve
++ve
++ve
++ve
++ve
-ve
-ve
Biuret Reagent –ve –ve +ve +ve
Gums & Mucilages
Molisch’s –ve –ve –ve –ve
Volatile Oils –ve –ve –ve –ve

Journal of Current Pharmaceutical Research 2012; 10 (1):19-21
4. REFERENCES:
Baycu G., Said A., Farag A.and Rashid K. Protein patterns and
chemical constituents of Ailanthus altissima (Miller) Swingle and
Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.IUFS Journal of Biology, (2008) 67 (1): 81-88.
Bhatt S. and Dhyani S. Preliminary phytochemical screening of
Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. International Journal of Current Pharmaceutical
Research. 2012 4(1): 87-89.
Kirtikar K. R. and Basu B. D. Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol. 1
International Book Distributors, Dehradun, India. ;1995 371-372.
Kumar D., Bhatt Z. A., Singh P., Khatanglakar and Bhujbal S. S.
Anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic potential of methanolic extract of leaves
of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognozia.
Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy, 2011 21(1): 139-145.
Kumar D., Bhatt Z. A., Singh, Shah M. V., Bhujbal S. S. and
Patil D. Y. Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. is really a plant of Heaven.
International Journal of Pharmacology, 2010 6(5): 535-555
Said A., Hawas U. W., El-Shenoy S., Nofal S. M. and Rashid
K. Flavonoids and some biological activities of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb.
IUFS Journal of Biology. 2010 69(1): 45-55.