Abstract
The aim of this study is to identify and characterize the bioactive compounds from the leaves of Richardiascabra Linn (Rubiaceae). It is an annual and abundant herb and is used in skin diseases in folklore medicine have been investigated phytochemically for the first time. General phytochemical screening of the leaves of R.scabra revealed the presence of steroids, alkaloids, fatty acids and tannins. The extensive phytochemical investigation of the petroleum ether extract of leaves afforded two white crystalline substances, Stigmasterol and β-Sitosterol and their structures were established on the basis of their spectral (IR, NMR, MS) data. This work reports the isolation and structural identification of Stigmasterol and β-Sitosterol, aiming at contributing to the chemotaxonomy of the genus Richardia. Both of them were isolated for the first time in the genus, therby presenting chemotaxonmic importance to it.
