Abstract
Erythroxylum moonii Hochr. is a shrub or small tree in family Erythroxylaceae and folklore claims report the use of its leaves in the treatment of helminthiasis. Aim: Hence, present study aims to evaluate the pharmacognostic and analytical characters including HPTLC of its leaves. Methods: E. moonii fresh and powdered leaves were explored for the macroscopic and microscopic features along with their physico-chemical, phytochemical properties and HPTLC following standard procedures. Results: The leaf of E. moonii is simple, alternate, petiolate, stipulate, elliptic and lanceolate with obtusely caudate-acuminate apex, acute base and entire margins. Fresh leaf is light green, slight astringent with characteristic odour and smooth texture. Powdered dry leaves were light green, slight astringent with aromatic odour and coarse, fibrous texture. Microscopic evaluation revealed the presence of simple, bilobed and stellate trichomes (with and without lignification), rosette, rhomboidal, prismatic and cluster crystals, paracytic stomata and starch grains as key characteristics both in fresh leaves and powdered leaves. Obtained values for loss on drying, total ash, acid insoluble ash, pH, water and methanol soluble extractive were 10.44±0.31%, 2.2±0.67%, 0.93±0.06%, 5, 7.63±0.57% and 6.44±0.38% respectively. Qualitative phytochemical analysis suggested the presence of carbohydrates, steroids, glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids in the test sample. HPTLC study revealed 17 and 11 peaks at short (254nm) and long (366nm) ultraviolet consecutively. Conclusion: Obtained results can be used to establish pharmacognostic and analytical standards of leaves of E. moonii which can serve as an important source to determine the quality, purity and strength of the powdered drug.
Highlights
Since centuries people used to treat and manage the diseases with herbal medicine due to their safe nature, wide availability and cost effectiveness
Establishing standards for herbal medicine is an utmost need in order to determine their quality, purity, safety and efficacy and these should be ascertained in a systematic way to gain scientific validation as well as global acceptance for herbal medicine in the system of conventional medicine. [1, 2]
Microscopic examination E. moonii leaf observed using thin sections after clearing with chloral hydrate and powdered leaves were observed for their distinctive characters. [15]
Summary
Since centuries people used to treat and manage the diseases with herbal medicine due to their safe nature, wide availability and cost effectiveness. The demand for herbal medicines were increased and improper substitution as well as harmful adulteration are taking place which create a suspicion on their quality and efficacy. Establishing standards for herbal medicine is an utmost need in order to determine their quality, purity, safety and efficacy and these should be ascertained in a systematic way to gain scientific validation as well as global acceptance for herbal medicine in the system of conventional medicine. [4] Erythroxylaceae is called as ‘coca’ family due to its well-known member Erythroxylum coca which is majorly contributed in the extraction of ‘cocaine’. Two member plants named Erythroxylum truxilense and Erythroxylum novagranatense are contributed in the extraction of strong alkaloids like cocaine, hygrine, cinnamylcocaine and truxilline. Two member plants named Erythroxylum truxilense and Erythroxylum novagranatense are contributed in the extraction of strong alkaloids like cocaine, hygrine, cinnamylcocaine and truxilline. [4]
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