Phytochemical content of some of local plant species frequently used as raw materials for traditional medicine in Lombok Island

Abstract

Rohyani IS, Aryanti E, Suripto. 2015. Phytochemical content of some local plant species frequently used as raw materials for traditional medicine in Lombok Island. Pros Sem Nas Masy Biodiv Indon 1 (2): 388-391. Sasak tribe, an indigenous community in Lombok island, has been utilizing some local plants as raw materials for traditional medicine. Results of previous studies show that of the 62 species of medicinal plants known by the community, five species are most commonly used with the highest scores and weight of utilization. Those are mainly leaves of moringa (Moringa oleifera), pule (Alstonia scholaris), ciplukan (Physalis angulata), pegagan (Centella asiatica) and tamarind (Tamarindus indica). This study aims to determine the phytochemical content of the medicinal plants using standard procedures of phytochemical screening. Procedures used for the colloid test was as proposed by Rizk (1982). Saponin test was based on Forth procedure, flavonoid test using Wilstater procedures, steroid test under Liebermann-Bunchard procedures, terpenoids test with Salkowski procedures, anthraquinone test based on Borntrager procedures and Tannins test. The phytochemical tests show that the leaves of moringa and ciplukan contained all screened secondary metabolites including flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins, anthraquinones, and terpenoids. These secondary metabolites exhibit antimicrobial and antiviral properties, denature protein and prevent ingestion of bacteria.