Identification of secondary metabolites in Verbena litoralis in Peru

For thousands of years, humanity has known about various plants with medicinal properties, which have been used to treat a wide variety of ailments and conditions. In this context, the present study aimed to identify secondary metabolites in the verbena plant through phytochemical studies. To this end, samples of the species were collected in the Castillo Grande district of Peru. Screening was performed using three solvents of increasing polarity: hexane, methanol, and water. Secondary metabolites were identified using coloring and precipitation reagents, as well as UV-Visible molecular absorption spectroscopy. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, reducing sugars, amino acids and amines, glycosides, saponins, and bitter principles was verified, highlighting the plant's therapeutic potential.