Abstract

ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE: FOUNTAIN OF PHYTOCHEMICALS; THE QUALITATIVE PROFILING

Dhananjay Desai*, Chaitanya Raorane, Suresh Patil, Rajashri Gadgil and Dattaguru Patkar

Abstract

Medicinal plants are known to be potential source of new phytochemical substances with beneficial therapeutic effects. Anacardium occidentale Linn. (Anacardiaceae) is a tree native to Brazil and also found in tropical countries like Malaysia and India (Konkan region). The plant is reported to have anti-bacterial, antifungal, antioxidant activities and rich source of diverse groups of plant chemicals. In the present investigation different solvent extracts of leaves and bark of A. occidentale were qualitatively screened for their phyotochemical appearance. Total twelve extracts were screened; out of which eight were showing various phytochemicals namely Carbohydrates, Alkaloids, Flavonoids and Cardiac glycosides. Out of twelve extracts Flavonoid is present in eleven extracts except methanol extract of leaves. The results obtained from present investigation showed that the plant is a factory of various phytochemicals and it can be used in the treatment and prevention of many diseases.

Keywords: Anacardium occidentale, Phytochemicals, Natural remedies.