DOI: https://doi.org/10.55373/mjchem.v24i4.110

Keywords: Phytochemical test, plant traditional use, medicinal plant, alkaloid, flavonoid

Abstract

Imbak Canyon Conservation Area (ICCA) represents a land rich in plants that are used traditionally by the locals as remedies for various ailments, however yet to be reported. The ethnomedicinal knowledge inspired researchers to search for novel compounds which might be developed into therapeutic agents and this could start with simple in situ phytochemical tests on the identified plant sample. The present paper reports on the alkaloids and flavonoids compositions in different plant parts of 46 species (57 samples) collected from five trails of Imbak Canyon Study Centre (ICSC) and three trails of Gunung Kuli Study Centre (GKSC) of ICCA. The collection was based on the traditional medicinal usage described by the ICCA rangers and some plants of particular interest to the group. The phytochemical detection for alkaloids and flavonoids was conducted based on Mayer’s reagent and Shinoda test, respectively. Of the 57 samples, 11 samples were found to be positive for both alkaloids and flavonoids. While 12, and 13 samples tested were positive for alkaloids, and flavonoids only, respectively. Of the positive samples, the leaves of Eusideroxylon zwageri (belian), Synsepalum dulcificum (buah ajaib), Pinanga jambusana (pinang bumburing), Pycnarrhena cauliflora (pokok ajinamoto), Cinnamomum sp. (madang sarsi), Ixora capillaris (jenjarum), Mallotus mollissimus (bayor) and the flowers of Curculigo latifolia (lamba) showed high content of alkaloids, whereas Phaleria macrocarpa (mahkota dewa) fruits, Aeschynanthus sp. (hoya) flowers, and the stems of Uncaria calophylla (kalait or talait), Orophea hexandra (karai) as well as Bauhinia diftera (bunga api) were rich in flavonoids. It was found that the detected classes of phytochemicals in most of the plant species are consistent with their previously reported constituent and subsequently could correlate to the plant’s traditional uses. The findings could provide a basis for the selection of high-potential plants from ICCA for future in-depth chemical and pharmacological studies.