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The medicinal values of plants lay some substances that produce a definite

physiological action on the human body. The most important substances are the bioactive
compounds of plants are alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, etc. In recent

years, secondary plant metabolites (Phytochemicals), previously with unknown
pharmacological activities, have been extensively investigated as a source of medicinal

agents (Krishnaraju et al., 2005). Based on the screening methodologies, the therapeutic
values of many herbal medicines have already been established. Although, herbal medicines

are obtained from natural sources and considered as safe for human beings. On the contrary,

they would have some adverse effects due to the presence of other active ingredients (Izzo
and Ernest, 2009).

Selvamani and Balamurugan (2015) investigated the preliminary phytochemical

analysis of acetone extract of Acalypha indica (L.) plant. Phytochemical screening of leaves
extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, steroids, saponins, flavonoids, cardiac

glycosides and phenolic compounds. Due to the presence of these phytochemical
constituents, the medicinal plant possess antimicrobial activity. The present study is to

investigate the qualitative phytochemical constituents of Acalypha indica (L.) by using
various solvents.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Fresh plant material of Acalypha indica L. (Indian Copperleaf) were collected from
the location of Poovangaparambu, Kanyakumari District. The plants were identified

taxonomically. Acalypha indica (L.) belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. It is a common
herb growing up to 75cm tall with ovate leaves. Flowers are green, unisexual found in catkin

inflorescence. It occurs widely throughout the tropics of the old world. It also occurs in India,
South East Asia and Oceania. It has been introduced to areas of the new world with

favourable climates.

The plants were washed and the adhering dirt’s were removed and shade dried. The
dried parts were stored in sealed and labelled containers for use. The shade-dried powder of

plant material of Acalypha indica (10 g) was macerated separately with 60 ml of sterile

distilled water using mortar and pestle. The macerated extracts was first filtered through four
layer of muslin cloth and then filtrate was centrifuged at 8,000 rpm for 15 min at room

temperature. Supernatant was filtered through Whatman No.1 filter paper and heat sterilized
o
at 120 C for 30 min. The extracts were preserved aseptically in a brown bottle at 4°C until
further use (Sukanya et al., 2009).

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