Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 8(1): January 2015 74 ISSN 0974-3618 www.rjptonline.org RESEARCH ARTICLE Thin layer chromatographic study of Conocarpus lancifolius, Melaleuca decora and Syngonium podophyllum Saad Touqeer 1 *, Muhammad Asad Saeed 1 , Shazia Khalid 2 1 Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan. 2 Department of Botany, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan *Corresponding Author E-mail: saadtouqeer@gmail.com ABSTRACT: The present study was aimed to investigate the phytochemistry of the three plants namely, Conocarpus lancifolius, M. decora and S. podophyllum. Secondary metabolite enriched extracts of alkaloids, phenolics and saponins prepared directly from the plant powder were subjected to thin layer chromatography using simple solvent systems. The compounds separated were observed using different techniques. All three plants showed the presence of large number of alkaloids, phenolics and saponins in them thus indicating the presence of high chemical diversity and therapeutic potential. KEYWORDS: Alkaloids; Saponins; Phenolics; Phytochemistry; Plants. INTRODUCTION: Secondary metabolites are the compounds produced by the plants that are not involved in their growth but instead, play many other important roles. Some of the roles of secondary metabolites include defense against herbivores and harmful insects as well as attraction of some useful insects which cause pollination. Apart from their important functions in the plants in which they are produced, they also act as important therapeutic agents when used by humans. All of these important features make secondary metabolites an interesting and essential topic to be studied. 1,2 Conocarpus lancifolius is a tree belonging to the family Combretaceae. It is highly resistant to environmental stress and therefore mostly grown in countries with warm climate. The plant has been studied for antiprotozoal and antimicrobial activity. Melaleuca decora belongs to the family Myrtaceae. The plant possesses a characteristic pleasant and spicy odor. Antimicrobial studies have been carried out on the volatile oil and methanolic extract of the plant. Syngonium podophyllum (Araceae) has been studied for anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. 3,4 The aim of the present study is to carry out a detailed investigation on the alkaloids, phenolics and saponins of the three plants for the first time. Received on 30.09.2014 Modified on 15.11.2014 Accepted on 22.12.2014 © RJPT All right reserved Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 8(1): Jan. 2015; Page 74-77 DOI: 10.5958/0974-360X.2015.00015.3 MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plant Material: The aerial parts of Conocarpus lancifolius and Melaleuca decora whereas the whole plant of Syngonium podophyllum were collected during the winter season from different parts of Lahore and Pattoki, Pakistan. The plant material was identified by Dr. Ajaib Choudhary, Department of Botany, Government College University Lahore. The voucher numbers received for C. lancifolius, M. decora and S. podophyllum were GC. Bot. Herb. 2205, GC. Bot. Herb. 2206 and GC. Bot. Herb. 2207, respectively. Chemicals: Chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-hexane were purchased from Merck, Germany. Methanol was purchased from Panreac, Spain. Thin Layer Chromatographic Study: Silica Gel-60-F 254 , TLC Aluminum sheets (Merck, Germany) were used for the Thin Layer Chromatographic study. Alkaloids: In order to prepare alkaloid enriched extract 5 g of plant powder was wetted with 10% ammonia and extracted with methanol for 10 min with constant shaking at room temperature. The extract was filtered, concentrated and used for chromatographic studies. Alkaloids were separated using chloroform: methanol (15:1). The chromatograms were visualized under visible light, UV 254 and after spraying