Prabavathi N.

Phytochemical Studies on Vitex Leucoxylon L.f. Prabavathi N.

The research on plants has increased all over the world and a large body of evidence has been collected to show the immense potential of medicinal plants used in traditional systems. Species of genus Vitex are valuable as medicinal plants. Vitex leucoxylon (Verbenaceae) is a deciduous (large and lofty) tree rarely found in tropical forests. V. leucoxylon(Kattu Nochi) is one of the underutilized medicinal species with great pharmacological potential. Its restricted natural distribution has limited its continued usage in indigenous systems of India. Phytochemical screening of all extracts of Vitex leucoxylon revealed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, gums and mucilage. The essential oil content in leaves, flowers and fruits have been investigated by hydrodistillation method which confirmed the seasonal variation in leaves. In vitro antimicrobial evaluation confirms that the plant contains biologically active compounds which act against some pathogenic bacteria and fungi with some measurable antimicrobial response.