Paper Contents
Abstract
Medicinal plants have long been a valuable source of bioactive compounds with diverse pharmacological applications. Croton macrostachyus, a species from the Euphorbiaceae family, has been traditionally used in African medicine to manage ailments such as malaria, bacterial infections, gastrointestinal disorders, and inflammation. However, limited research has been conducted on the phytochemical composition of its leaves. This study aimed to perform a qualitative phytochemical screening of C. macrostachyus leaf extracts to identify key secondary metabolites. Standard biochemical assays were conducted to detect the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, and phenolic compounds. The results confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, and phenolic compounds, while tannins were absent. These findings align with previous reports on Croton species and suggest that C. macrostachyus leaves contain bioactive compounds with potential medicinal applications, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Further studies are recommended to isolate, characterize, and evaluate the pharmacological potential of these compounds to support the development of plant-based therapeutic agents.
Copyright
Copyright © 2025 Gemechu Duguma Argesssa. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.
