Pharmacognostic Standardization of Solanum melongena var. Insanum Linn.

Solanum melongena var. insanum Linn. (Solanaceae) is an undershrub used for the preparation of various Ayurvedic formulations. Macroscopic, microscopic, physico-chemical and phytochemical studies of the ischolar_main, fruit and leaf of the plant were done. Leaves are simple, alternate, pubescent and prickly. The tap ischolar_main is dark yellow to brown in colour with fewer branches. Powdered samples were observed under the microscope and distinctive features of each part were noticed. Anatomical features of the ischolar_main, pericarp of fruit and leaves were studied using hand sections. Moisture content was higher in the leaf (94.25%) compared to ischolar_main (93.50%) and leaf (91.70%). Ash analysis of the samples showed that the percentage of ash was higher in fruit portion (7%). Ethanol (6%) and water (7%) extractive values were higher in the ischolar_main. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed that the methanolic extract of ischolar_main contained the maximum number of phytoconstituents such as flavanoids, coumarins, alkaloids, tannins, anthroquinines, phenols, resins, glycosides/reducing sugars, proteins and carbohydrates. Estimations such as carbohydrate, protein and phenol and TLC finger print profile were carried out. Total protein content was found to be higher in fruit (308mg/g). However, carbohydrate (384mg/g) and phenol content (22.2 mg/g) were found to be higher in ischolar_main. These parameters, which are being reported for the first time in S. melongena var. insanum provide referential information for the correct identification and standardization of this plant material.