A Comparative Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis of Crude Extracts of Indigenous Plant Xanthium strumarium L. Aerial Parts

Abstract

Xanthium strumarium Linn. (Asteraceae) is an indigenous medicinal plant, found all over Asia. It is a common roadside hedge in Pakistan. The plant is abundant in bioactive metabolites attributing medicinal properties to it. Crude extracts of its aerial parts have been in practice in herbal medicine to treat various syndromes since inception such as fever, headache, sinusitis, herpes, arthritis, etc. Moreover, it also provides relief from cramping and limb numbness. Xanthium stumarium is a dynamic anthelmintic, laxative and digestive agent used to cure epilepsy, urogenital infections and hormonal disorders. Current study investigates qualitative analysis of primary and secondary metabolites present in aqueous, methanol and dichloromethane extracts of X. strumarium aerial parts. Preliminary screening showed  polar crude aqueous and methanol extracts were a good source of flavonoids, tannins,  terpenoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, proteins and carboxylic acids whereas non-polar dichloromethane extract was rich in plant gums, a therapeutic potent constituent. This qualitative analysis of phytochemicals may be thought provoking to explore further bioactive phytochemicals from this indigenous X. strumarium mainly in benign medium (aqueous), so that low cost medicines can be developed to treat various health issues.