Phytochemical Study of Abrus precatorius

Abrus precatorius I. (Paruily 1eguminosea—Lotoidea) is a c1imbin peeunia1 shrub, distributed over the gre ater part o India and other tropiqal countries. Every part of the plant has a iolk medicinal use ; th leaves are claimed to remove biJ,.ieoeousness and cure 1eucodrma. The seeds are used as purgative, emetic and toiic. Their poultice when applied as suppository are about facicnt, but when swallowed are contraceptives.The seed is also known to be poisoz.ou due to toxic ustce hence its arabic name (.in ElAfreet) or devil’s eye.In view o the above mentioned faqts, it was decided to inveCtiCate the constituents of the plant, grown in E’ The study is divided into ; 1. The introduction and reviw o literature of the previous works done on .trus precatorie LThe eperimenta1 work and consists of three parts. It comprises 1. The plant riate-rial ud in this investigation.2. Authentic samples used. as rrcnces.3. Reagents reauired or th idenifoation of different compounds. 4. Apparatus and techniques used throughout t work.Part II : It comprises the study of the plant eonstitu€nts and is divided into :: It comprises :a) The general phytochemical examination of the different organs of brus is. viz, roots, stems, leavc and seeds and showed that they contain same consti— tuents. Tiey gave positive tests f al1(alQs and/or nitrogenous bases sterols and/or triterpees, flavonoids carbohydrates and/or ilyooeides tannis a saponins. They are devoid of volatile substances ad oxidase enzyme s. b) Extraction with successive selective solvents of each organ and the corresponding yields and constants ;the highest percentage of extractives was that of water,c) Detemjnatjon of the total ash, acid insoluble and water soluble ash.