Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part I (2025)

Plant-derived therapeutic compounds are increasingly being explored by scientists due to their diverse phytochemical composition and extensive pharmacological capabilities. Abutilon indicum (L.) Sweet, a commonly utilized medicinal plant in traditional practices, is recognized for its substantial levels of flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and other bioactive substances. The current research assessed the quantitative distribution of these secondary metabolites in chloroform, methanol, ethanol, and aqueous extracts of A. indicum leaves. The extraction utilized a Soxhlet apparatus, followed by standard colorimetric techniques: the aluminium chloride method for flavonoids, the Folin-Ciocalteu assay for phenolics, and a modified Folin-Ciocalteu procedure for tannins. The results demonstrated significant differences depending on the solvent used, with the aqueous extract containing the highest concentration of flavonoids (89.62±1.34 mg/g CE), while methanol exhibited the greatest content of phenolics (68.9±1.01 mg/g GAE) and tannins (11.03±0.88 mg/g GAE). Ethanolic extracts showed consistently high levels across all metabolite categories, while chloroform produced relatively lower quantities. These results strongly correlate with the polarity of solvents and the established solubility traits of plant polyphenols, confirming that polar solvents, especially alcohols and water, enhance extraction efficiency. The study underscores the phytochemical abundance of A. indicum leaves and highlights its potential as a valuable natural resource for pharmacological uses.