Qualitative phytochemical screening of Hygrophila spinosa plant extract 1 2 S. Mandal * , G. K. Dutta and S.Nath Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science & A.H. Anjora, Durg, Chattisgarh - 491001, India * Corresponding author email : drsanjumandal@Gmail.Com Veterinary World Vol.3(8): 367-368 RESEARCH Abstract The present study was undertaken to find out the phytochemicals present in Hygrophila spinosa plant extract. Fresh leaves and aerial parts of botanically identified plant was collected and were processed for preparation of plant extract using specified technique. The plant extract was then subjected for different qualitative chemical tests to investigate the chemical profile of H. spinosa extracts. Analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds and tannins in the extact as confirmed by implying different qualitative tests specified for these phytochemicals. Keywords: Hygrophila spinosa, plan textract, phytochemicals Introduction were collected in bulk from waterlogged area of the College of Veterinary science and A. H. campus, Hygrophila spinosa (Common Bengali name Anjora, Durg during the month of October- November “Kullakhara”; Hindi name “Tal-Makhana”, Gokulakanta; in the year 2008. Cleaned leaves and aerial parts were Local name “Mokhla”; Sanskrit name “Kokilaksha”; then dried under shade and were ground into a fine German name “Langblattriger Steindorn”) is a semi- powder form using domestic mixer grinder machine. woody herb of Acanthacea family, an inhabitant of The fine powder of the plant leaves and aerial parts damp or swampy area found throughout the planes of obtained was stored in air tight containers for further India (Hooker, 1885). Hygrophila spinosa is a processing. commonly found herb in India, being used as vegetable Preparation of extracts: Traditionally the hot water in some states. Vegetation commences in the rainy infusion of fresh plant materials is used to increase the season and flowering in autumn. The aerial part is haemoglobin level. The powdered leaves and aerial commonly consumed as a vegetable. Different parts parts of H. spinosa were processed to obtain (leaves, roots, seeds) of the herb are used in several concentrate hot water infusion extracts as described patho-physiological conditions such as jaundice, below: rheumatism, renal stone, gonorrhoea, hepatic Dried powdered leaves and aerial parts of the disorders, anti-tumor activity (Chopra et al., 1956). It is plant (80 g) was dispersed in boiled distilled water and a common practice to feed the hot water infusion of cooled at room temperature in a closed glass container. succulent aerial parts of pre-flowering and flowering The content was filtered with the help of double layered plant to increase haemoglobin level in anaemia and muslin cloth and the water infusion was collected. The pregnant women to prevent anaemia. Some reports solution was centrifuged at 5000 rpm for 10 minutes are available on composition of roots and seeds but no and the supernatant was collected for drying in the reports are available on the composition hot water rotary vacuum evaporator (MAC Rotary Vacuum infusion of leaf and aerial part of the plant. Due to Evaporator, BUCHI Type; MSW-191) at 600C paucity reference the present investigation was temperature and low pressure. After complete undertaken and different qualitative chemical tests evaporation of the water the weight of the extracts was were perform for establishing profile of H. spinosa hot noted and the percent (%) of recovery of extracts was water extract (flowering stage) for its chemical recorded on the dry weight basis. The extract was kept composition. in air tight container and preserved in a refrigerator for Materials and Methods further use. Plant materials: Fresh leaves and aerial parts of Qualitative phytochemical screening: Following botanically identified H. spinosa at its flowering stage different qualitative chemical tests were performed to www.veterinaryworld.org Veterinary World, Vol.3 No.8 August 2010 367