~ 39 ~ Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2016; 4(5): 39-43 ISSN 2320-3862 JMPS 2016; 4(5): 39-43 © 2016 JMPS Received: 09-07-2016 Accepted: 10-08-2016 Suryawanshi Pooja Medicinal Plants and Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Botany, Gulbarga University, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India Vidyasagar GM Medicinal Plants and Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Botany, Gulbarga University, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India Correspondence Suryawanshi Pooja Medicinal Plants and Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Post Graduate Studies and Research in Botany, Gulbarga University, Kalaburagi, Karnataka, India Phytochemical screening for secondary metabolites of Opuntia dillenii Haw Suryawanshi Pooja and Vidyasagar GM Abstract Opuntia dillenii a wild xerophyte is abundant in Himalayas, believed to be of American origin and a native of India. Traditionally, the plant is used in the treatment of inflammation, hypoglycaemic, stomach ulceration, Neuro-protection through antioxidant action, viral disease, diabetes, burns, bronchial, asthma and digestive problems throughout the world. Phytochemistry study was undertaken in cladodes and fruits and revealed the presence of Phenols, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Saponins in cladode and Phenols, Alkaloids, Flavonoids, Terpeonids Steroids, Saponins in fruit. Phenols content (6.8%) was found maximum followed by Alkaloids (5.4%), Flavonoids (3.5%) and Saponins (1.05%) in cladode. Similarly, in the fruit, Phenols were maximum (5.4%) followed by Alkaloids (4.38%), Flavonoids (2.22%), Saponins (0.75%), and Terpenoids (0.8%). Steroids were detected in fruit. Keywords: Phytochemicals, secondary metabolites, cladode, fruits alkaloids Introduction Medicinal plants contain some organic compounds which provide definite physiological action on the human body. Secondary metabolites are chemically and taxonomically extremely diverse compounds with obscure function. They are widely used in the human therapy [1] Secondary metabolites are the substances produced by plants as defense chemicals. They include alkaloids, flavonoids, essential oils, phenols, saponins etc. Recently, many pharmaceutical companies have spent a lot of time and money in developing natural products extracted from plants, but the information available is quite meagre [2] . The present study was carried out to identify the active chemical principle composition in Opuntia dillenii Opuntia dillenii (Ker-Gawl) Haw family Cactaceae commonly known as pear bush, prickly pear, mal rachette or tuna, is a succulent shrub growing under desert and dry conditions. It is native to the American continent and the West Indies, but recently due to cultivation, it has become widely distributed throughout Canary Islands, Southern and Eastern Africa, Pakistan, India and Australia [3, 4] Opuntia dillenii is a rich source of dietary fibres, natural colorants and antioxidant vitamins and therefore, used as a food because of their edible fruit [5] Pharmacological evaluation of Opuntia has shown its efficacy as antihyperlipidemic, [6] antiviral [7] anti-inflammatory [8] antidiabetic [9] antioxidant and antiulcerogenic activity [10] . It has also been reported to protect nerve cells and used for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and stroke [11] . In recent years, there has been a global trend toward the use of natural resources as antioxidants and functional foods [12] . Two characteristic historical examples are the O. dillenii plantations of Srirangapatam (India). In the first case, the Ruler of Mysore, Tippu Sultan (1750-1799), reinforced the fortification around his residence with the cactus because of its formidable spines [13] . Secondly, in 1930 the Imam established the cactus near his castle in order to use the purple coloured fruit juice as ink [14] . Plant habit Fig 1: Habit Fig 2: Flower Fig 3: Fruits