INTRODUCTION:

Jatropha is a genus of approximately 175 succulent plants, shrubs and trees (some are deciduous, like Jatropha curcas L.), from the family Euphorbiaceae. This evergreen plant is common in waste places, poorly tended agricultural fields, and river overflow areas throughout India, in the southern part, it is cultivated chiefly for hedges. It possess significant anticancer, hepatoprotective and pesticidal activity [1-2]. The leaf decoction of Jatropha gossypifolia is used for bathing wounds. The stem sap stops bleeding and itching of cuts and scratches [3-5]. The roots are employed against leprosy, as an antidote for snake bite and in urinary complaints. A decoction of the bark is used as an emmenagogue and leaves for stomachache, venereal and as blood purifier [6-9]. Therefore, the present study was undertaken with the objective of investigation of phytochemical and physicochemical parameters of the different extracts of leaf of Jatropha gossypifolia Linn.

MATERIALS AND METHOD:

Plant collection and Authentication

The plant species were collected during the month of December at Potharlanka near Repalle, Guntur (Dist) of Andhra Pradesh. Then it was authentified by Dr S.M. Khasim, Professor, Department of Botany and Microbiology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, Guntur. The specimen was deposited in the department for further reference.

Preparation of plant extract

Extract was prepared by using soxhlet apparatus. About 150 gm of dried leaves powder was taken and intended for continuous hot percolation method by using different solvents with different polarity such as petroleum ether ,n- hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, methanol and distilled water respectively. They were then filtered through muslin cloth and filtrates obtained were concentrated under reduced pressure to obtain individual residues. Further they were calculated for extractive values.

Phytochemical analysis

Preliminary phytochemical screening of the leaves extracts of Jatropha gossypifolia. Spach was performed as per standard procedure.

Physicochemical study [10]

The various physicochemical constants of leaf of Jatropha gossypifolia were studied by using standard protocol followed in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia.

Determination of Moisture content (loss on drying)

Place about 10g of drug (without preliminary drying) after accurately weighing (accurately weighed within 0.01g) it in a tared evaporating dish. For example, for underground or un powdered drug, prepare about 10g of the sample by cutting shredding so that the parts are about 3mm in thickness. Seeds and fruits, smaller than 3mm should be cracked. Avoid the use of high speed mills in preparing the samples, and exercise care that no appreciable amount of moisture is lost during preparation and that the portion taken is representative of the official sample. After placing the above said amount of the drug in the tared evaporating dish dry at 105⁰c for 5 hours, and weigh. Continue the drying and weighing at one hour interval until difference between two successive weighings corresponds to not more than 0.25 per cent.

Constant weight is reached when two consecutive weighing after drying for 30 minutes and cooling for 30 minutes in a desiccators, show not more than 0.01 g difference.

Determination of Foreign matter

Weigh 100 – 500 g of the drug sample to be examined or the minimum quantity prescribed in the monograph, and spread it out in a thin layer. The foreign matter should be detected by inspection with the unaided eye or by the use of lens (6 xs). Separate and weigh it and calculate the percentage present

% of foreign matter = Amount of foreign matter ×100

Amount of drug taken

Determination of Alcohol Soluble Extractive

Macerate 5g of the air dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100ml of Alcohol of the specified strength in a closed flask for twenty four hours, shaking frequently during six hours and allowing standing for eighteen hours. Filter rapidly, taking precautions against loss of solvent, evaporate 25 ml of the filtrate to dryness in a tare flat bottomed shallow dish, and dry at 105^Octo constant weight and weigh. Calculate the percentage of alcohol soluble extractive with reference to the air dried drug.

Determination of Water soluble extractive

Macerate 5g of the air dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100ml of chloroform water of the specified strength in a closed flask for twenty four hours, shaking frequently during six hours and allowing to stand for eighteen hours. Filter rapidly, taking precautions against loss of solvent, evaporate 25 ml of the filtrate to dryness in a tared flat bottomed shallow dish, and dry at 105^0,to constant weight and weigh. Calculate the percentage of chloroform water soluble extractive with reference to the air dried drug.

Determination of Ether soluble extractive

Transfer a suitably weighed quantity ( depending on the fixed oil content) of the air dried, crushed drug to an extraction thimble, extract with solvent ether ( petroleum ether boiling point 40⁰- 60⁰) in a continuous extraction apparatus (Soxhlet apparatus, Elite, India) for 6 hours. Filter the extract quantitatively into a tare evaporating dish and evaporate off the solvent on a water bath. Dry the residue at 105⁰ C to constant weight. Calculate the percentage of ether soluble extractive with reference to the air dried drug.

Determination of Total Ash

Incinerate about 2to 3 gm accurately weighed, of the ground drug in a tare platinum or silica dish at a temperature not exceeding 450⁰until free from carbon, cool and weigh. If a carbon free ash cannot be obtained in this way, exhaust the charred mass with hot water, collect the residue on an ashless filter paper, incinerate the residue and filter paper, add the filtrate, evaporate to dryness, and ignite at a temperature not exceeding 450⁰C. Calculate the percentage of ash with reference to the air dried drug.

Determination of Acid Insoluble Ash

Boil the ash obtained in total ash for 5 minutes with 25 ml of dilute hydrochloric acid, collect the insoluble matter in a Gooch crucible or on an ash less filter paper, wash with hot water and ignite to constant weight. Calculate the percentage of acid- insoluble ash with reference to the air dried drug.

Determination of Water Soluble Ash

Boil the ash for 5 minutes with 25ml of water, collect insoluble matter in a Gooch crucible, or an ash less filter paper, wash with hot water, and ignite for 15 minutes at a temperature not exceeding 450⁰. Subtract the weight of the insoluble matter from the weigh

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Phytochemical screening

The results observed were tabulated in table no 1.The study found that predominantly alkaloid, steroid, tannins and vitamin c were present. The results also reveal the presence of saponins in polar solvents and carbohydrates in both non polar and polar solvents and further resins were found only in methanol extract

Table.1: Preliminary Phytochemical screening

Name of the phytoconstituents	Pet. Ether	N-Hexane	Ethyl acetate	DCM	CHLOROFORM	METHANOL	WATER
CARBOHYDRATES	+	-	+	-	-	+	-
GUMS/MUCILAGE	-	-	-		-	-	-
PROTEINS/AMINO ACIDS	-	-	-		-	-	-
FATS/OILS	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
STEROIDS	-	+	-	+	+	+	+
GLYCOSIDES	-	-	-	-	-	+	-
ALKALOIDS	-	+	+	+	+	+	+
FLAVANOIDS	-	-	-	-	-	+	+
PHENOS/TANNINS	+	+	-	+	-	+	+
VITAMINS	+	+	+	-	+	+	+
RESINS	-	-	-	-	-	+	-
SAPONINS	-	-	-	+	+	+	+

Physicochemical studies

The results observed were tabulated in table no 2,3 and 4.Moisture content was calculated as NMT 2% and the foreign matter was calculated as 10%.The different extractive values of solvents such as alcohol gives 0.16g,water extract gives 0.05g and ether soluble extract gives 0.04g.The different ash values reveals that the total ash value(1.76g),acid insoluble ash (dil. HCl) 1.67,sulfated ash(H₂SO₄) 1.65 and water soluble ash(H₂O)

Table.2 Foreign matter and Moisture content

PARAMETERS	Values in percentage (%)
Foreign matter	10
Moisture content	Nill (NMT 2)

Table.3. Extractive values of different solvents

EXTRACTIVE VALUE	In grams
Alcohol soluble extraction	0.16
Water soluble extraction	0.05
Ether soluble extraction	0.04

Table.4 Different ash values

ASH VALUES	In grams
Total ash value	1.76
Acid insoluble ash value(dil. HCl)	1.67
Sulphated ash value (H₂SO₄)	1.65
Water soluble ash value(H₂O)	1.70

CONCLUSION:

The results observed in this study are preliminary values to evaluate the plant leaves of species Jatropha gossypifolia (L.). Hence the study conclude the observed values can be used for further study in this species and for routine qualitative estimation.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

The authors are grateful to their lab technician Mrs. N. Venkayamma of Vignan Pharmacy College for her extended support for completion of this work.

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Received on 08.03.2012 Modified on 22.03.2012

Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 5(5): May2012; Page 694-696