Phytochemical screening and HPTLC fingerprint analysis of bark extracts of Ficus nervosa Heyne Ex Roth

This research analyzed major chemical components present in fresh extracts of stem bark of Ficus nervosa. Bark of Ficus nervosa was collected, powdered and defatted with petroleum ether and then extracted successively with chloroform, ethyl acetate and 90% alcohol. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the bark extracts of Ficus nervosa showed the presence of chemical constituents like alkaloids, glycosides, sugars and carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, etc. HPTLC finger print analysis of the Ficus nervosa bark extracts showed the presence of possible number of components. HPTLC finger print study demonstrated the consistent quality of chemical constituents. The experimental conditions as well as general comments on the application of chromatographic fingerprint analysis are discussed.