Extracts of
in vitro
leaves, field leaves and seeds of the leguminous plant
Lessertia frutescens
were analyzed using
spectrophotometric and gravimetric methods, to the effect of quantitative comparison of their phenolic, flavonoid, alkaloid and
saponin contents. As compared to the field leaves and seeds, saponins were found to be most abundantly represented in
in vitro
leaves, followed by phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids. The extracts were also qualitatively analyzed so as to evaluate the
presence of other phytochemicals of medicinal interest. This qualitative analysis indicated the presence of tannins, phlobatannins
and cardiac glycosides. Having in mind the documented therapeutic use of these phytochemicals, the results of this study offer a
strong rationale for further animal and clinical investigations of
L. frutescens extracts.