Abstract
Objective: This study was undertaken to carry out genetic barcoding, pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies on leaves of Pothos scandens L. belonging to the family Araceae. Methods: P. scandens, was collected from Cochin, Kerala, during the month of August 2019. Its leaves were examined for pharmacognostical characters and physicochemical, qualitative analysis and HPTLC studies was carried out following standard protocols recommended by the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Genetic barcoding of the fresh tender leaves samples was carried out through following standard methods. Results: Leaves are simple, alternate, broadly winged petiole. Transverse section through winged petiole portion showed U-shaped, epidermal cell along with cluster crystals. Transverse section through midrib boat-shaped structure, mesophyll undifferentiated, consist parenchyma cell, epidermis with thick cuticle along with waxy coating. Leaves powder shows green in color and microscopy reveals the presence of prismatic crystals, raphides, fibres, acicular crystals and monocot type 1 stomata. The plant is identified as Pothos scandens based on sequence homology and phylogenic analysis. Qualitative results show the presence of carbohydrates, protein, alkaloids and tannins. HPTLC profile shows 7 spots at both short UV and long UV and ferulic acid and kaempferol were identified through quantitative HPTLC. Conclusion: Pothos scandens is a climber with simple, alternate leaves. Acicular crystals and raphides, mucilaginous cavities, undifferentiated mesophyll are key characters of the identification of its leaf. DNA Barcoding results helps in correct identification of Pothos scandens. The results obtained from the phytochemical study will be helpful in the determination of the strength of purity and also for further standardization of the plant.
Highlights
Plant resources are a natural treasure of traditional system of medicines, widely used for treatments of a variety of ailments and the correct identification, and quality assurance of the starting materials is a prerequisite to ensure the reproductive quality of herbal medicine which will contribute to its safety and efficacy [1]
The Pothos scandens was identified with the help of different flora and authenticated by the Pharmacognosy expert and its fresh leaf sample were collected from its natural habitat (Longitude: 76 ° 27' 23.9058" and Latitude: 10 ° 10' 39.23328"), Cochin, Kerala
Most of the cell enriched by acicular crystals (1.1 μm, 40x), prismatic crystals (0.5 μm, 40x), cluster and rosette crystals (0.5 μm, 40x)
Summary
Plant resources are a natural treasure of traditional system of medicines, widely used for treatments of a variety of ailments and the correct identification, and quality assurance of the starting materials is a prerequisite to ensure the reproductive quality of herbal medicine which will contribute to its safety and efficacy [1]. (family-Araceae), is an epiphytic climber with rooting branches and is one of the frequently used medicinal plants by the traditional healers of Kerala, West Bengal and Karnataka states of India. In Srilanka the leaves are used to reduce swelling in trauma area, whereas in China used as blood coagulant. Its leaves are consumed as tea by the Dai ethnic minority. The species is native to Himalayas, Madagascar and Indo-Burma region, and is widely available on the moist tree trunk, wet forests, and wall and on the rocks in northeast India. It is frequently available in Bihar, Goa, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India
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