Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry

M, Kavitha ¹, R. Vadivu ¹, R. Radha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Madras Medical College, Chennai-03

Abstract

Pharmacognostical studies were carried out to identify and authenticate the bark of Sterculia foetida. Pharmacognostical studies were carried out in terms of macroscopic, microscopic and physiochemical analysis. The outer bark is grey in color and inner bark is buff coloured single quill and has fibrous texture. The characteristic microscopic features of bark were observed as cork, cortex, medullary rays, phloem parenchyma and sclerenchyma in the transverse section. The microscopical features of powdered bark showed the presence of lignified fibers, xylem vessels, stone cells, cortex and calcium oxalate crystals. Histochemical studies were done to identify and locate the active constituents present in the bark. Ash values, extractive values, swelling index, foaming index, loss on drying and foreign organic matter were also carried out in order to find out the quality and purity of the drug.

Keywords

Sterculiafoetida, Macroscopy, Microscopy, Histochemical studies and Physio-chemical constants.

Full Text

     

P. Vijayalakshmi ¹, R. Radha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Madras Medical College, Chennai – 600003, IN

Abstract

Citrus maxima (J. Burm.) Merr of Rutaceae is widely distributed and indigenous in Indian subcontinent. Citrus maxima is a perennial shrub commonly known as Papanus. The peel of the fruit has leathery endocarp, containing numerous oil glands. It is found to possess the anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti oxidant, Larvicidal, hepatoprotective, anti cancer, anti platelets, and anti diabetic activity. This study deals with the pharmacognostical and Phytochemical screening of the Citrus maxima peels. Macroscopic and microscopic photographs of transverse sections (T.S.) of Citrus maxima peel shown distinct presentation of volatile oil, calcium oxalate, parenchymatous cell, vascular bundle collenchymatous cell and stone cells. Standardization of the peels were done with the help of extractive values [Water soluble extractives (10.25 % w/w), Alcohol soluble extractives (29.26 % w/w)], total ash value (3.19 % w/w), water soluble ash (0.66%w/w), acid insoluble ash value (0.83 % w/w) and loss on drying (5.23 % w/w), and Volatile oil content was found to be 6% V/W. Phytochemical analysis shown the presence of flavonoids, carbohydrates, steroids, gums and mucilage. The study also included fluorescence analyisis and no fluorescence were observed. This study brings about various pharmacognostical, phytochemical and physiochemical parameters for the identification and standardization of the plant material.

Keywords

Citrus maxima, Standardization, Fluorescence Analyisis, Pharmacognostical.

Full Text

     

K. Mekala ¹, R. Radha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Madras Medical College, Chennai – 600003, IN

Abstract

The plant Caesalpinia sappan is a small leguminous tree upto 10m in height belonging to the Caesalpiniaceae family,with an orange-red hard Heartwood with spiny trunk ,which besides being useful in turnery gives a red dye. It is commonly known as Brazil or Sappan wood, native to tropical Asia, also grown as a hedge plant. The plant is being used worldwide for a large number of traditional medicinal purposes including anti-tumour, antiinflammatory, immunosuppressive, anti-diabetic, anti-allergic, cardioactive, neurotoxicity, anti-bacterial, antiacne , anemia, tuberculosis and some other activities. The main active constituent is Brazilin, and together triterpenoids, flavanoids, lipids, steroids, aminoacids etc are found. Leaves yield volatile oil, 0.16 to 0.25%; pods contain 40% tannin; seeds yield 32.1% and 34.4% mucilage and straw -yellow , edible oil(7.5%) having a characteristic smell; ischolar_mains contains caesalpin-type diterpenoids along with sitosterol. In folklore medicine it is used as a herbal drinking water for its blood purifying, anti- thirst , anti-tumour and to improve complexion in Kerela. It has the potential to hit the market as a safe natural colouring agent with good medicinal value for pharmaceuticals, food products and beverages. The plant is one of the ingredients of an indigenous drug 'Lukol' which is administered orally for the treatment of non-specific leucorrhoea. The present article summarizes review on the plant, its phytochemistry and its pharmacological activity which have been reported.

Keywords

Caesalpinia sappan, Phytochemicals, Anti-Tumour, Immunosuppressive, Cardioactive.

Full Text

     

M. Kavitha ¹, R. Vadivu ¹, R. Radha ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Madras Medical College, Chennai-03, IN

Abstract

Sterculia foetida Linn., (Sterculiaceae) known as Wild Almond or Java olive is an attractive umbrella shaped spreading tree. Traditionally, leaves as well as the seeds have important medicinal values as they contain Sterculic acid(53%) as a constituent which has proven to have interesting pharmacological applications such as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potentials. The tree yield edible seeds rich in fat (30-36%) and protein 11.4%. Traditionally leaves and bark are used as aperient, diaphoretic, diuretic and also used in the treatment of rheumatism, obesity, gonorrhoea, dropsy, skin diseases etc,. The plant is rich in fatty acids and flavonoids. This review summarizes the overall research of phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Sterculia foetida in the recent years.

Keywords

Sterculia foetida, Sterculiaceae, Review, Phytochemical, Pharmacological.

Full Text

     

S. C. Baviya ¹, R. Radha ¹, N. Jayshree ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Madras Medical College, Chennai, IN

Abstract

Hybanthus enneaspermus belonging to the family Violaceae commonly known as spade flower, is a small shrub growing to a height of 60cm with pink-purple spade shaped flowers. Ionidium suffriticosum, Viola suffriticosa, Ionidium enneaspermum and Viola enneaspermum are the synonyms for the plant. Entire plant is of medicinal importance and is widely used in Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine. Dipeptide, alkaloids, aurantiamide acetate, isoarborinol, sitosterol, sugars, flavonoids, catechins, tannins, anthraquinones and amino acids are the constituents present in the plant. In Southwest Nigeria the plant is locally known as Abiwere, used by Traditional birth attendants to make delivery less laborious. Hybanthus enneaspermus shows interesting medicinal properties like anti-hyperlipidemic activity, free radical scavenging activity, nephro protective activity, antioxidant activity, anti-arrhythmic activity, anti-infertility activity, anti-allergic, analgesic activity and anti-microbial activity. This article as a review on the plant, its phytochemistry and its reported pharmacological activity.

Keywords

Hybanthus enneaspermus, Violaceae, Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology.

Full Text