Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part A (2024)

Medicinal plants play a crucial role in both traditional and modern medicine due to their diverse bioactive compounds. Gloriosa superba (Flame lily) and Celastrus paniculatus (Intellect tree) are well-known for their therapeutic potential, yet comprehensive quantitative phytochemical analyses remain limited. This study aims to quantify key bioactive compounds in these plants and evaluate their medicinal significance. Fresh tubers of G. superba and seeds of C. paniculatus were collected from authenticated botanical sources, identified taxonomically, and subjected to Soxhlet extraction using ethanol and methanol solvents. Quantitative phytochemical analyses were conducted to determine total alkaloid, flavonoid, phenolic, and saponin contents using standard colorimetric and gravimetric methods. The results revealed that G. superba exhibited a significantly higher alkaloid content (5.4±0.2 mg/g), primarily colchicine, known for its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Conversely, C. paniculatus was rich in flavonoids (6.5±0.3 mg/g) and phenolics (7.1±0.2 mg/g), supporting its traditional use in neuroprotection and cognitive enhancement. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test confirmed significant differences between the two species (p < 0.05). These findings underscore the pharmaceutical potential of G. superba in cancer treatment and C. paniculatus in neurological disorders. Future studies should focus on in vivo pharmacological evaluations and mechanistic insights to further validate their medicinal applications.