PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND THE EVALUATION OF THE ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANALGESIC PROPERTIES OF THE PLANT IPOMOEA MAURITANA (FAMILY: CONVOVULACEAE)

Abstract

Ipomoea mauritiana is an important medicinal plant having widespread application in a variety of disorders. The aim of this study was the phytochemical investigation and evaluation of the anti-oxidant, anti-microbial and analgesic activities of the whole plant Ipomoea mauritiana. Phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract of Ipomoea mauritiana ensured the presence of Alkaloids, Tannins, Steroids, Gums, Glycosides, Carbohydrate and Saponins. The anti- oxidant activity was measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity (IC50 = 164 µg/ml). The crude ethanolic extract did not reveal any significant anti- microbial activity. The crude ethanolic extract of the tubers of Ipomoea mauritiana exhibited significant analgesic activity at a dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg with 71.15% and 80.77 % inhibition of writhing respectively.