Determination of total phenolic compounds and phytochemical screening from Thai medicinal plants

The present study deals with the total phenolic contents and phytochemical screening the traditionally used as improved tendon functions, the relief of muscle fatique, the nourishment of bone joint and bone tissue and also tonic from 3 Thai medicinal plants such as Sambucus javanica Reinw., Smilax corbularia Kunth., and S. glabra Wall. ex. Roxb [1]. Different solvents including dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and ethanol were used to prepare extracts from these plants. Total phenolic contents were determined using a spectrophotometric technique, based on the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and calculate as gallic acid equivalents GAE/g extract [2]. The high total phenolic contents of dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and ethanolic extracts were found that S. corbularia Kunth. ranged from 4.15, 18.95 and 20.64mg gallic acid/g extract, respectively. Additionally, the preliminary screening, qualitative thin layer chromatography of secondary metabolites were studied [3] and showed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic and alkaloids in these plants. Thus, the total phenolic contents and phytochemical screening tests may be used to investigate the bioactive compounds and subsequently may lead to screening of these plants for antiosteoporotic. Further, the preliminary screening of these plants for bone formation and bone resorption activities have been studied.

Acknowledgements: This study was supported in grants MRG51 from The Thailand Research Fund and NRCT.

References: 1. Maneekun, U. et al. (1997) General traditional medicines: Pharmacy. Medical Registration Division. Office of the Permanent Secretary of MOPH. Pharmacy.

2. Javanmardi, J. et al (2003) Food Chemistry. 83:547–550.

3. Mallikharjuna, PB. Et al (2007) E-Journal of Chemistry 4(4):510–518.