Phytochemical studies of some medicinally useful extracts of rhizomes of Hedychium Spicatum Sm. In A.Rees

HedychiumSpicatum is a rhizomatous perennial plant of various ethnomedicinal significance, which belongs to Zingiberaceae family.In the present study, H.Spicatum extracts were investigated for the presence of major phytochemical compounds.The dried and powdered rhizomes were extracted employing Soxhlet extraction with selective solvents of varying polarities viz water, ethanol, petroleum ether and diethyl ether.Qualitative phytochemical analysis of each of these extracts of H.Spicatum suggested the existence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, carotenoids, alkaloids, reducing sugars (carbohydrate), proteins, steroids, saponins and oils.Greater extent of unsaturation was observed in diethyl ether and petroleum ether extracts.These extracts were also examined for their physico-chemical properties.All of the studied extracts were found to be optically active, specifically dextro rotatory.The phytochemicals present in the rhizomes suggest potential ethnomedicinal application of the species in the treatment, control and management of diseases and for new drug discovery.