Comparative Phytochemical Analysis of Leaf and Root Extracts of Codiaeum variegatum (L.) Rumph. ex A. Juss. and Euphorbia tortilis Rottl. Ex Ainslie from Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Codiaeum variegatum and Euphorbia tortilis belongs to the family
Euphorbiaceae. C. variegatum, commonly known as Croton is widely
cultivated for its ornamental and medicinal values. The plant has been
traditionally used to treat various ailments, including skin diseases, wounds and
fever. E. tortlis, commonly known as Tortilis spurge is native to India and Sri
Lanka. Traditionally, it has been used in folk medicine to treat various ailments
including skin diseases, fever and respiratory problems. In this study, the
phytochemical composition of the leaf and root extracts of the samples were
evaluated using four different solvent extracts: aqueous, methanol, ethanol,
petroleum ether. The results revealed that the methanol extract of the roots of
both the samples exhibited a higher diversity of phytochemical compounds
compared to the leaves of the plants. The study highlights the potential of C.
variegatum and E. tortilis as a rich source of bioactive compounds with
potential medicinal applications.