Phytochemical and Biological Studies on Saudi Medicinal Plants: Part 12. A Study on Saudi Plants of Family “Leguminosae”

Abstract

This paper presents the results of phytochemical and pharmacological studies carried out on thirteen plants of the family Leguminosae. The plants were shade dried and phytochemically analyzed for the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, saponins, coumarins, sterols/triterpenes, tannins, glucosinolates, cyanogenic glycosides, volatile oils and volatile bases. The pharmacological parameters included the effect of ethanolic extracts on mouse behaviour, cardiovascular system, smooth muscle and skeletal muscles. Biochemical and hematological studies included the effect on serum glucose, cholesterol, electrolytes, RBC, WBC counts, fibrinogen level and prothrombin time.