Preliminary screening of different phytochemicals from Ensete superbum (roxb.) Cheesman: A highly medicinal plant of Indian origin

Abstract

The Ensetespp. belonging to the family Musaceae, are the wild banana, cultivated in tropical and subtropical re- gion of Asia and Africa. This genus consists of 7-8 species and is known for its broad genetic base. Ensete super- bum(Roxb.) Cheesman, commonly known as “Rankeli”, “Wild banana” and “Rock banana”, occurs in Indian sub- continent, mostly endemic to Western Ghats. It is a perennial shrub inhabiting rock edges, crevices and rocky bar- ren lands. The plant has wide therapeutic potential and is used in various ailments like diabetes, kidney stone, leucorrhoea, dysuria etc. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the phytochemicals in various plant part extracts as it is of high medicinal value. The results showed that alkaloidsandphenols are significantly high in leaves of Ensete superbum. Alkaloids are also found in significant amount in corm and root. The ethanol and water extract gave excellent results compared to other organic solvents. This type of work is reported for the first time. Thus it is confirmed that, Ensete superbumis a rich source of secondary metabolite and has significant potential against human pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, in future various constituents can be isolated independently and used in drug formulation for treating human diseases.