Vol. 13, Issue 4 (2024)

Author(s):
Yabesh Bhitrikoty and Sujata Upadhyay

Abstract:
Sikkim Himalayan range is characterized its richness in plant diversity and has been classified as an important ecological hotspot ecoregion of India. The present study was conducted by Dept. of Horticulture, Sikkim University, Gangtok during 2017-2019 to perform qualitative phytochemical analysis of Zanthoxylum alatum (Bokay timur) and Lindera neesiana (Sill timur). The fruits Bokay timur and Sill timur fruits were collected from seven and five different places of Kalimpong (W.B.) and Gangtok (Sikkim) respectively which had altitudinal variation. The fruits and seeds of these fruits are used in treatment of rheumatism, dysentry, stomach ache, caminative, anthelmintic, toothache, inflammation, headache, microbial infection and cancer. Besides this, seeds and bark are also used as an aromatic, tonic in fever, dyspepsia and in cholera. In present study, qualitative phytochemical analysis was done to test the presence or absence of alkaloids, flavanoids, glycoside, phenols, sterols, saponins, tannins and terpenoids in aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The result obtained from the study justifies that the phytochemicals like alkaloids, flavanoids, glycosides, sterols, tannins and terpenoids are found to be present in fruits of Zanthoxylum alatum, however saponins were completely absent in samples collected from Kalimpong (W.B.) and Gangtok (Sikkim). The Lindera neesiana (sill timur) fruits showed presence of phytochemicals in both extracts. The results of this study provides baseline for further research work for identification of its antioxidant properties and hepatoprotective potential of this plant. This study also emphasizes on further analysis on exploration, conservation and use of these plants for different medicinal purposes. The study also indicates correlation in quantity of phytochemical constituents with elevation.