PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ETHNOBOTANY OF ABUTILON INDICUM (L) SWEET FROM MELGHAT REGION, AMRAVATI DISTRICT (M.S.)

The primary aim of our study was to investigate the scientific basis for the medicinal use of Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet by the tribal communities of Melghat. For this, mature leaves and stems of Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet were dried and ground into a powder. Extracts were prepared using water, ethanol, and chloroform, and a phytochemical analysis was conducted on each. The phytochemical screening of the plant extracts revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and steroids. This analysis confirmed the presence of various bioactive compounds. Our findings suggest 
that, although ancient healers may not have had knowledge of plant chemistry, they were aware of the therapeutic potential of these plants. The medicinal properties of Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet may be attributed to the diverse range of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, tannins, terpenoids, saponins, and steroids. 

Keyword: Phytochemical analysis, Ethnobotany, Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet