Preliminary Phytochemical Investigation of Commonly Used Ethnomedicinal Plant

The use of medicinal plants in traditional healthcare systems has gained renewed interest due to the presence of bioactive compounds known as phytochemicals. This study aims to conduct a preliminary phytochemical screening of three ethnomedicinally important plants: Phyllanthus acidus, Madhuca longifolia, and Cinnamomum tamala. These species have been extensively used in various traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of ailments such as fever, inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders, and diabetes. Methanolic extracts of the leaves and bark were subjected to qualitative tests to detect the presence of major phytochemical groups including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenolics, glycosides, and terpenoids. The results revealed the presence of multiple bioactive compounds across all three plants, indicating their potential pharmacological relevance. This preliminary study provides a scientific basis for further investigation and validates the traditional uses of these plants.