beta-Sitosterol-3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside from the flowers of Tridax procumbens Linn.

Tridax procumbens Linn belongs to the natural order Compositae and is locally known as ‘Ghamra’. It has been found to possess significant medicinal properties. Its leaves are used in bronchial catarrh, dysentery, diarrhoea and to prevent falling of hair. Its flowers and leaves possess antiseptic, insecticidal and parasiticidal properties, and are also used to check haemorrhage from cuts, bruises and wounds. The present work deals with the isolation and identification of steroidal saponin, characterized as beta sitosterol 3-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside, which has been isolated from the flowers of Tridax procumbens Linn.