Studies on Phytochemicals and Steroid Isolation from N-Hexane Extract of Anisochilus carnosus

Basic phytochemical screening from the aerial parts of Anisochilus carnosus revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, steroids in high activity, carbohydrates, oils and fats in less activity. The goal of this study is to identify and characterize the bioactive compounds present in this valuable medicinal plant. For the identification and isolation of these phytochemical compounds, different parts of the plant were subjected to extraction of with different solvents namely ethanol, chloroform, acetone and diethyl ether, where ethanolic leaf and flower extracts proved to have high activity. Ethanolic extract of the leaves of this plant showed greater content of these phytochemicals. Further, the dried leaves of the plant are then subjected to extraction with n-hexane and chromatography was performed. The steroid compounds were isolated from the n-hexane extract of the leaves from Anisochilus carnosus. Based on the spectral evidence, H-1-NMR and C-13-NMR, structures were determined to be stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol.