RESUMO
Seven medicinal plants of ethnobotanical importance belonging to families Elaeganaceae, Gentianaceae, Cupressaceae, Asleraceae, Tamaricaceae, Berberidaceae and Salicaceae were investigated for the presence of alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone [free nad as glycosides] ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids in their coumarins, phenolics and proteins. Ephedra gerardiana [stem] [family ephedraceae] tested positive for alkaloids, ascorbic acid, coumarins, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids. Tamarix gallica [Family Tamaricaceae] tested positive for alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone as glycoside, ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins and steroids in stems, roots and leaves. Salix accomophylla [family Silaceae] showed positive results for alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone [free and as glycosides] ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids. Hippophe rhamnoides [family Elaeganaceae] showed positive results for alkaloids, amino acids, anthraquinone [free and as glycosides] ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, coumarins, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids. Berberis aristata [family Berberidaceae] showed positive results for alkaloids, amino acids, ascorbic acid, carbohydrates, flavonoids, phenolics, proteins and steroids in stem, roots and leaves, Juniperus excelsa [Family Juniperaceae] showed positive results for anthraquinone [both free and as glycosides], carbohydrates, phenolics, proteins, saponins and steroids