Phytochemical screening of selected medicinal plants from the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts in the Western Ghats of Karnataka

Background: Herbal drugs are a potential source of therapeutic agents for the treatment and prevention of various ailments. The plant kingdom is a gold mine of potential drugs, and in recent years there has been increasing awareness about the importance of medicinal plants. Drugs derived from plants are readily available, inexpensive, safe, and effective, and they rarely have side effects. Understanding the phytochemical profile of different parts of a plant is essential for determining which part to explore for any specific activity, as well as for evaluating possible synergistic effects. Results: The qualitative phytochemical analysis examined several important phytochemicals such as alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, phenolics, tannins, saponins, and anthraquinones. The tests revealed that some phytochemicals are present in certain medicinal plants while others are absent. The plants studied include Rubia cardifolia, Pongamia pinnata, Alstonia scholaris, Andrographis paniculata, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Cassia fistula, Hedyotis corymbosa, Murraya koenigii, Eugenia jambolana, and Picrorhiza kurroa. Conclusions: The ten selected medicinal plants are rich sources of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and reducing sugars. These secondary metabolites play a vital role in the plants’ anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal activities, thereby contributing to their ability to prevent various diseases.