Summary
Desmodium elegans is a medicinal plant commonly used for the treatment of jaundice, fever,
paralysis, oedema, asthma, colds, constipation, cough, convulsion, cholecystolithiasis and
urolithiasis. The present investigation commenced with various phytochemical screenings and
biological studies were carried out on the bark of Desmodium elegans. Preliminary
phytochemical test of the crude extract and various fractions revealed the presence of steroids,
saponins, tannins, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides and caumarines. The antimicrobial
activity and phytotoxicity activities of crude extract and various fractions of Desmodium
elegans were investigated. Significant phytotoxic activity was observed at a higher
concentration.
Key words
Proving -
Desmodium elegans
- Leguminosae
