Pharmacognostic and phytochemical analysis of Agnimantha (Premna corymbosa Rottl.) root

Abstract

Agnimantha (Premna corymbosa Rottl. Verbinaceae), also known as Arani and Nadeyi in Sanskrit is very important plant in use since Vedic period. It is known as Wind killer/ Indian headache tree in English, Munja in Malayalam and Taggiberu in Kannada. It is a large perennial shrub which grows up to 9 to 10 m in height and is found occurring throughout India in the plains. It is one among the combination drug Brhatpanchamoola (5 root drugs) of Dasamoola (10 root drugs). Its roots are used against asthma, and bronchitis; as an expectorant, in cold, in catarrh and fever. On these grounds, this work was an attempt to establish pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical standards of roots including HPTLC. Pharmacognostical parameters for the root of P. corymbosa using parameters like macromorphology, microscopy, physio-chemical constants and phytochemical screening were done using standard methodology. Except loss on drying, other physico-chemical results were under the limits of standards given in API. It showed presence of alkaloids, steroid, tannins, phenols and flavanoids. HPTLC densitometric scan showed six chemical components at 254 nm, five at 366 nm and fourteen at 620 nm. In the present pharmacognostic analysis, chemical constituents, TLC and HPTLC of the roots of Agnimantha co-relates with API standards and justifying its identity and authenticity.