Phytochemical Screening of Lantana Camara

Phytochemicals are biologically active compounds derived from plants that contribute significantly to human health and disease prevention. The present study focuses on the phytochemical, physicochemical, and pharmacological evaluation of Lantana camara leaves, along with an overview of supercritical fluid extraction as an advanced extraction technique. Qualitative and quantitative analyses revealed the presence of important bioactive constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids, saponins, steroids, phenolics, and anthraquinones. The total phenolic content (318.63 mg/g GAE) and total flavonoid content (284.49 mg/g RE) were higher in the 50% ethanolic extract compared to the aqueous extract, indicating superior extraction efficiency with hydroalcoholic solvents. Proximate analysis demonstrated that the leaves contain appreciable amounts of crude protein (24.84%), crude fibre (16.41%), ash (10.77%), and moisture (10.15%), with low crude fat content (2.99%). Mineral analysis confirmed the presence of essential elements such as potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, and sulphur, while zinc was not detected. Anti-nutritional factors including phytate, tannins, and oxalate were also identified. Physicochemical parameters such as total ash, acid-insoluble ash, extractive values, and loss on drying complied with standard quality control measures. Pharmacological investigations reported significant antiulcerogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, antimotility, antifilarial, antiurolithiatic, cardiovascular, antitubercular, and mosquito larvicidal activities of various extracts and essential oils of Lantana camara. These biological effects are attributed to the presence of diverse secondary metabolites, including lantadenes and pentacyclic triterpen.