Biological and Chemical Investigations of Abutilon Indicum

The work embodied in this book is mainly concerned with the isolation and characterization of chemical constituents from a terrestrial medicinal plant Abutilon indicum L of genus Abutilon and its possible biological activities. The isolated compounds were characterized by using various sophisticated spectroscopic techniques. Methanolic extracts of A.indicum were subjected to antibacterial activity against four Gram +ve, three Gram -ve bacteria and antifungal activity against three fungi. The extracts had shown significant activity against different microorganisms. The preliminary phytochemical screening for the secondary metabolites in the alcoholic extract of the plant material of Abutilon indicum L. revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, saponin, tannins and steroids. Proximate analysis had shown that maximum protein, carbohydrates and fats were present in leaves, less in stems and least in the roots. Essential nutrients Fe+2, Na+1, K+1, Ca+2 and Mg+2 were present in significant amounts in different parts of the plant. Epicuticular wax was isolated and analyzed by column and thin layer chromatography