PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND PHARMACOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF LEAVES AND SEEDS OF RICINUS COMMUNIS L.

Abstract

Medicinal plants are important sources of bioactive compounds used in pharmaceutical and traditional medicine systems. The present study investigates the phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities of leaf and seed extracts of Ricinus communis. Plant extracts were prepared using methanol and ethanol solvents and evaluated through qualitative phytochemical screening. Antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory activities were also examined using standard assays. The results showed that the plant extracts contain significant phytochemicals such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, and phenolic compounds. The extracts exhibited considerable antioxidant and antimicrobial activities against tested pathogens. These findings confirm that Ricinus communis possesses important bioactive compounds with potential pharmacological applications.