Qualitative and quantitative phytochemicals of leaves, bark and roots of Antiaris toxicaria Lesch., a promising natural medicinal plant and source of pesticides

Abstract

Antiaris toxicaria Lesch. of the Moraceae family is a tree that grows endemic to Indonesia and has a height of about 20-30 m. This study aimed to screen the phytochemical constituents of leaf, bark and its root. The plant materials were collected from the Samarinda Botanical Garden. Latex of this species in Indonesia is known as a source of blowpipe poison. In other countries Antiaris sp. plant parts (leaves, bark and seeds) are used in ethnobotany practice as raw material for traditional medicine. The leaves, bark and seeds of this plant are used in the treatment of syphilis, leprosy, cancer and used as laxatives for sore throats. Screening of the phytochemical constituents of the samples began by tracing the macromolecules of alkaloids, steroids, tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids and saponins with various tests. Alkaloids, saponins, tannins, phlobatnins, flavonoids and terpenoids were detected in the chemical analysis. High performance liquid chromatography diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was conducted. HPLC screening of A. toxicaria extracts revealed the presence of galic acid, catechins, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ellagic acid, epigallocatechin, routine, isoquercitrin, quercitrin, quercetin and kaempferol. The study revealed the array of secondary metabolites present in the plant that can be used in medicinal preparations and will be candidate species for developing a natural insecticide.