Extraction of Alkaloids from Colocynthis vulgaris (L.) Schrader harvested in Oued N’sa (Ouargla region)

Abstract

Plants constitute a vital component of the biodiversity as they play a key role in maintaining earth’s environmental equilibrium and ecosystem stability. Herbal medicine is known to be the oldest form of healing, dating back to ancient Greece (1600 BC). It involves the use of plant to improve, maintain or restore health and wholeness. Phytochemicals are bioactive chemicals of plant origin. They are regarded as secondary metabolites synthesized in all parts of the plant body. The quantity and quality of phytochemicals present in plant parts may differ from one part to another. In fact, there is a lack of information on the distribution of the biological activity in different plant parts mainly due to the difference in distribution of active compounds which are more frequent in some plant parts than in others. Colocynthis vulgaris (L) Schrader is one of the medicinal plants of the Cucurbitaceae family, widespread in Algeria mainly in Ouargla in the region of Oued N'sa. This plant is used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases. Its multiple pharmacological properties are due to its richness in active substances, especially alkaloids. The main objective of this study is the comparison between two extraction protocols of alkaloids, one in acid medium and the other in an alkaline medium. The results obtained confirm the plant's richness in alkaloids and the efficiency of the extraction protocol in acid medium.