QUALITATIVE PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF AJWAIN (Trachyspermum ammi) FROM NORTH-WEST IRAN

Abstract

Most spices, owe their individual properties to the pharmacologically active secondary metabolites that they contain. In this study plant Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) from North-West Iran was screened for the presence of major phytochemical groups. Three solvent extracts (water, ethanol, ethylacetate) obtained from Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) traditionally used in the past and even now for various therapeutic effects including fatigue, diarrhea, bloating, abdominal tumors and especially in local area of Tabriz to cause to heal up the joint pain and loss of appetite. Phytochemical screening of the plant Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, teriterpenoids, steroids, tannins, phenolic compounds, coumarins, resins, saponins, oil and fat, inorganic acids and ascorbic acid as major phytochemical groups. Ajwain (Trachyspermum ammi) tested negative for the presence of glycosides, starch, amino acids, protein, phelobotanin and free antraquinones and organic acids.