Abstract:
Strobilanthes species are used extensively by traditional healers and local Adivasis for the treatment of inflammatory disorders, arthritis, microbial diseases, as antidote for spider poison and several other ailments. The aerial parts (leaf and stem) of five Strobilanthes species (S. callosa Nees, S. ciliata Nees, S. integrifolia Kuntze, S. ixiocephala Benth., S. heyneana Nees) collected from northern part of Western Ghats, India were investigated for their phytochemical constituents using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mass spectra obtained were matched against compounds in the NIST and PubChem database. A total of 43 compounds were identifi ed from the leaf and stem extracts, of which 13 were found common to leaves and stems across species. Lupeol was the major bioactive compound in all fi ve Strobilanthes species in both, leaves and stems. The study reveals the potential of Strobilanthes species as good source of bioactive compounds and provides evidence in support of their use in traditional medicine by local tribal people.
