Phytochemical Screening of Selected Medicinal Plants Used By B’laan Tribe

Abstract

Phytochemicals are compounds found in plants that help the plants survive and defend themselves against threats. In medicinal plants, these compounds are responsible for the plant’s effectiveness in treating different illnesses. Most of these medicinal plants lack phytochemical studies, and some studies only target a specific part of the plant. This study aims to identify the specific phytochemical compounds that are present in the selected medicinal plants used by the B'laan tribe. This study used a descriptive research design to describe and interpret the selected medicinal plants: Gmelina (Gmelina arborea), Balbas-pusa (Orthosiphon aristatus), and Agik-agik (Acmella oleracea). Plant samples were collected at Barangay Assumption, Koronadal, South Cotabato, Philippines, sealed in a zip-lock bag, and directly delivered to the WVN Research Laboratory located at Davao City, Philippines. Two tests, qualitative test and quantitative test, showed that flavonoids, tannins, phlobotannins, steroids, and glycosides were present in all three samples. At the same time, alkaloids were only present in Gmelina, and saponins were absent in all three. These compounds are significant for the anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, analgesic, antipyretic, and antioxidant properties of plants, Quantitative test results on Gmelina shows a strong concentration on flavonoids and tannins with 16.52 mg/g and 15.21 mg/g respectively, phlobotannins 7.56 mg/g and small concentration of glycosides, alkaloids, and steroids containing 3.25 mg/g, 3.52 mg/g, and 1.42 mg/g respectively. Flavonoids and tannins contain 14.22 mg/g and 10.24 mg/g, respectively, on Balbas-pusa. Plobotannins, glycosides, and steroids with 5.26 mg/g, 2.12 mg/g, and 1.23 mg/g, respectively. Lastly, Agik-agik contains 12.65 mg/g and 11.28 mg/g of flavonoids and tannins. Plobotannins, glycosides, and steroids contain 4.23 mg/g, 2.45 mg/g, and 1.32 mg/g, respectively. These results show the medicinal plants used by the tribe and the specific illnesses they treat. They will be helpful in future pharmacological studies of these plants to develop medicines.