Qualitative Phytochemical Screening of Tithonia diversifolia: A Gray Aqueous Root Extract

Abstract

This study investigated the phytochemical composition of Tithonia diversifolia, commonly known as the Mexican sunflower, a plant renowned for its diverse pharmacological properties. Fresh root bark was collected from mature plants in Migori County, Kenya, and processed through cleaning, peeling, shade drying, and grinding into fine powder. The aqueous extract was obtained by macerating 50g of the powdered root bark in 200 mL of distilled water for 24 hours, followed by filtration that yielded 19.4%w/w crude. Qualitative phytochemical analysis was conducted on the extract to identify the presence of various bioactive compounds. The results indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, phenols, carbohydrates, anthocyanins, and coumarins. However, glycosides, steroids, sterols, proteins, amino acids, and lignin were not detected. In conclusion, the phytochemical analysis of Tithonia diversifolia root extract has revealed a diverse array of bioactive compounds, providing valuable insights into its potential medicinal applications. The presence of these phytochemicals suggests that T. diversifolia possesses broad therapeutic potential, particularly in the management of oxidative stress, inflammation, infections, and metabolic disorders. These findings underscore the plant's promise as a source of natural remedies and highlight the need for further research to explore its application in drug development and integrative medicine.