"Phytochemical testing and bioassay of Chloranthus elatior R. Br. ex link (Family Chloranthaceae), a traditonal herbal tea"

Date

4-2001

Degree

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Major Course

Major in Cell Biology

College

College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Lourdes B. Cardenas

Abstract

Chloranthus elatior R. Br. ex Link is an herbal tea in mountain regions of the Philippines. Aside from being a stimulatory be e, it is reputed to be a remedy for symptoms of stomachache, rheumatism, and fever and plant extracts of this plant were subjected to histochemeical and phytochemical tests, and bioassays to detect the major natural products responsible for its purported biological activity. Histochemical tests of the leaf showed glandular cells, possibly secreting ethereal oils. Alkaloids and tannins' among others, were also detected. TLC of the leaf and root extracts sprayed with Dragendorff reagent indicated alkaloids in both the leaf and the root. This was confirmed by the characteristic fluorescence under UV365. Caffeine, a xanthine alkaloid. was also detected Soxhlet extraction of the leaf powder produced appreciable amount of tannins comparable to standard tea preparations. Brine shrimp bioassay showed the hexane leaf extract to be most potent compared to methanol and water fractions. The mean LC50 values of the brine shrimp bioassay were calculated using a Finney Probit Analysis program Standard deviation, chi squared at 2 degrees of freedom and the 95% limit of confidence were also established for each kind of extracts Antimicrobial bioassay of the methanol leaf extract, however, showed no zones of inhibition in the growth of Pseudomonas fluorescens. Staphylococcus aureus. and Salmonella typhimurium These preliminary data indicate that the alkaloids and tannins are the major bioactive constituents of the plant.

Language

English

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

Call Number

Thesis

Document Type

Thesis

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