Pharmacognostical And Phytochemical Studies of Aparajita (Clitoria Ternatea Linn.)

This study investigates the phytochemical composition of Clitoria ternatea (Aparajita) through the extraction and screening of its leaves, flowers, roots, and seeds using eleven different solvents: petroleum ether, hexane, n-butanol, butyl acetate, chloroform, ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, ethanol, acetic acid, and aqueous. The primary aim was to identify the presence of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic applications. The extraction yielded varied results, with notable differences in the extractive values for different plant parts, indicating the solvent-specific solubility of phytochemicals. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of important classes of compounds including carbohydrates, reducing sugars, alkaloids, volatile oils, proteins, amino acids, steroids, glycosides (cardiac, anthraquinone, saponin), flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds. The leaves and flowers were rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, and saponins, whereas the roots and seeds showed a diverse range of glycosides and other bioactive substances. This comprehensive screening provides insight into the pharmacological potential of Clitoria ternatea and supports its traditional use in herbal medicine.