Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Evaluation of Trichosanthes dioica (R.)

Abstract

Trichosanthes dioica seeds are mentioned in various traditional texts as a drug used for vermicidal anthelmintic, insecticidal, sedative, diuretic, demulcent, and expectorant purpose ethnopharmacologically. The studies were taken up to evaluate pharmacognostic, physicochemical and phytochemical standard for Trichosanthes dioica seeds. The objective of present study is to evaluate the morphological, microscopical, phytochemical and physicochemical properties of various bioactive compounds present in Trichosanthes dioica seeds. Preliminary phytochemical screening was done and HPTLC studies were carried out. CAMAG HPTLC system equipped with Linomat V applicator, TLC scanner, and WIN CATS-4 software were used. The microscopical studies of T. dioica seeds have showed mucilaginous epidermis made up of long thin trichomes, Innermost layer of parenchyma cells and sclerotic endodermal layer. Testa is 17-23 cells thick on the sides on the seeds. Exotesta: a layer shortly columnar pulpy cells, much elongate on the sides of micropyle thin walled but with fine fibrillar thickenings (not lignified) on the radial and inner wall, the outer wall thickened and slightly lignified, first filled with starch grains. Physico-chemical studies of T. dioica seeds have set the some standard i.e. Ether soluble extractive value 16.15%w/w, alcohol soluble extractive value 10.11% w/w, water soluble extractive value 9.22% w/w, Total Ash value 6.21 w/w, acid insoluble ash value 1.32% w/w, water soluble ash value 4.29% and loss on drying 24.33% w/w etc. were found out. Preliminary phytochemical screening was done then TLC and HPTLC studies were carried out. All the findings will be useful towards establishing pharmacognostic standards on identification, purity, quality and classification of the plant, which is gaining relevance in plant drug research for the identification and preparation of monograph of plant.