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Phytochemical Profiling of Kam-sabut, Croton caudatus Geiseler

Longjam Shantabi and Ganesh Chandra Jagetia

Croton caudatus Geiseler is widely used in the northeast region of India to treat several diseases in humans. The aim of the present study was to investigate the phytochemical basis of its medicinal use. The dried powder of mature leaves of Croton caudatus was sequentially extracted in petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl alcohol and water using standard protocols. The ethanol and water extraction of leaves resulted in 4.14% and 5.9% extractive values, whereas drying of leaves led to a loss of 20% water with approximately 6.35% acid and 5.95% water soluble ash contents. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of the chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extracts of Croton caudatus was carried out using standard protocols. These three extracts were analyzed using thin layer chromatography (TLC). The qualitative phytochemical analysis revealed that Croton caudatus leaves contained alkaloids, phytosterols, saponins, phlobatannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics and terpenoids. However, tannins were conspicuous by their absence. The TLC profiling revealed presence of different chemical constituents indicated by different Rf values of various TLC spots in numerous solvent systems. The present study indicates that the medicinal value of Croton caudatus lies in the presence of different metabolites like alkaloids, phytosterols, saponins, phlobatannins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenolics and terpenoids, which have been reported to possess diverse medicinal properties.