Preliminary phytochemical screening and inorganic element analysis of rhizomes of curcuma leucorhiza roxb.

The present paper deals with the phytochemical screening and Inorganic elemental analysis of the plant materials. Curcuma leucorhiza belongs to the family zinziberacea and has been used in folklore medicine to treat various ailments. . The rhizomes of curcuma leucorhiza are used for the treatment of enlarged liver spleen and stomach ulcer. The decoction of its rhizomes is used in the treatment of diabetes and cancer in local traditional medicines .The biological activities of curcuma leucorhiza include antioxidant activity, antibacterial activity and antifungal activity. The  rhizome parts of curcuma leucorhiza was slice,dried,grind into powder and then extracted with acetone, chloroform, methanol and ethanol solvents giving 9.06,12.90,7.30 and 13.20% yield respectively.  Phytochemical studies of the extracts showed the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, phenolic, tannins, phytosterols, anthocyanin, proteins and amino acids etc. Quantitative determination of alkaloid was done by Harborne (1973) method. Inorganic elements are determined by a Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometer. Rhizome of curcuma leucorhiza contains minerals such as Fe, Zn, Cu, Mo, Cr, Mn and were found to be 0.971, 0.414, 1.70, 0.013, 5.091 and 0.015 ppb respectively  The results obtained shows that the extracts contain bioactive compounds and also trace element present in the plant extracts were within the permissible limits. The study will provide referential information for the treatment of various diseases.