Qualitative Phytochemical investigation of Rumex abyssinicus Jacq. root and Verbasicum sinaiticum Benth. leaves

Different parts of Rumex abyssinicus Jacq Root and Verbasicum sinaiticum Benth have been used as traditional medicine by local community in Ethiopia. Traditionally, the tender shoots and leaves of R. abyssinicus Jacq are edible and rhizomes of the plant are used to refine butter that gives it yellow color. The leaves of Verbasicum sinaiticum Benth is used to cure tooth ache, for wound healing, and taken with water for snake bite, leech infection and lymphadenitis through oral or nasal route. The above medicinal activities of the two plants are associated with the presence of secondary metabolites in the plants. The plants were collected and extracted with appropriate solvent and standard extraction methods. The qualitative phytochemical analysis was determined by phytochemical screening methods. The qualitative phytochemical analysis of the two plants exhibited the presence of alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and ascorbic acid and glycosides. The findings provided evidence that crude organic and in organic solvent extracts of these tested plants contain medicinally important bioactive compounds and it justifies their use in the traditional medicines for the treatment of different diseases.