PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF BOERHAVIA DIFFUSA AND CLITORIA TERNATEA FOR ITS POTENTIAL USE IN URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Phytochemicals are naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants, playing a crucial role in plant defence against pests, diseases, and environmental stress. When ingested, they provide anti- microbial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting benefits to human health. This study investigates the phytochemical composition of Boerhavia diffusa and Clitoria ternatea, known for their antimicrobial properties and traditional use in treating Urinary Tract Infections (UTI). METHODOLOGY: Plant samples were extracted using cold maceration technique with aqueous and methanol solvents. The presence of tannins, phenols, flavonoids, and saponins was qualitatively tested using ferric chloride, gelatine, alkaline reagent, and foam formation methods, followed by quantitative estimation via UV-Spectrophotometry. RESULTS: The Methanolic extract of Boerhavia diffusa showed higher concentrations of phytochemicals compared to its aqueous extract, with flavonoids (0.83 μg/ml), phenols (25.98 μg/ml), tannins (2.36 μg/ml). However, the aqueous extract exhibited a higher concentration of saponins (0.83 μg/ml). Similarly, the methanolic extract of Clitoria ternatea demonstrated significant phytochemical contents that includes flavonoids (0.82 μg/ml), phenols (41.12 μg/ml), tannins (2.33 μg/ml), and saponins (1.07 μg/ml), all higher than in aqueous extract. CONCLUSION: The presence of flavonoids, tannins, and saponins in both the plant extracts their antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These findings support their potency to complement conventional treatments for UTI such as antibiotics and suggest additional health benefits including liver and kidney support and inflammation reduction. Further studies involving antimicrobial assays and clinical evaluations are recommended to support these these properties of the study plants.