Phytochemical Screening of Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm

The drug Drynaria quercifolia (L.) J. Sm. is a pteridophyte belongs to the family Polypodiaceae. Its rhizome is an ingredient in some formulations mentioned in regional traditional medicinal books of Kerala with the name Thudinthappala. Folklore system also utilizing its rhizomes and fronds in the form of food as well as medicine. For validating its traditional uses preliminary phytochemical analysis of its powdered rhizome was done in this study. In preliminary phytochemical analysis of ash, qualitative and quantitative analysis of extracts, estimation of phenol, tannin, volatile oil, fibre, sugar were done. Presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, phenols, carbohydrates, and proteins were revealed through this study. These phytochemicals may contributes to the therapeutic potency of this drug