Comparative phytochemical profiling of terminalia Catappa, Azadirachta indica and Stachytarpheta angustifolia bridging traditional use and scientific validation

Abstract

This study investigates the qualitative and quantitative phytochemical composition of Terminalia catappa, Azadirachta indicaand Stachytarpheta angustifolia, three medicinal plants widely used in traditional medicine. Leaf extracts were obtained using methanol and dichloromethane (DCM) extractions and screened for secondary metabolites. Qualitative analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, phenolics, and glycosides in varying proportions across all samples. Quantitative analysis revealed that T. catappa had the highest concentrations of flavonoids (73.3 ± 2.0 mg/g) and alkaloids (68.5 ± 1.6 mg/g), while A. indica exhibited the greatest levels of tannins (67.4 ± 1.8 mg/g) and phenolics (78.3 ± 2.2 mg/g). S. angustifolia presented moderate levels of all phytochemicals, with notable flavonoid (62.4 ± 1.7 mg/g) and alkaloid (50.7 ± 1.3 mg/g) content. These findings support the therapeutic potential of the studied species and emphasize their relevance as sources of pharmacologically active compounds.