Pharmacognostic investigations on the leaves of Heterophragma quadriloculare K. Schum.

Abstract

ObjectiveTo generate pharmacognostic parameters of leaves of Heterophragma quadriloculare K. Schum since data on pharmacognostic and phytochemical characterization which provide means to authentic raw material or drug for medicinally important formulation are not available. MethodsThe present study reports detailed pharmacognostic characters as identification parameters of the leaves which were subjected to morphological, histological, quantitative microscopic and chromatographic studies. Morphological, histological, quantitative microscopic were done using reported methods and chromatographic studies were performed using HPTLC. ResultsDiagnostic features for identification of shape of leaves being compound, odd-pinnate, dorsiventral asymmetric at base with unicellular non-covering and glandular trichomes having unicellular stalk and bicellular head, actinocytic stomata and rhombus calcium oxalate crystals. Water soluble and alcohol soluble extractives were found to be (23.6±0.346)% w/w and (10.8±0.115)% w/w, respectively. ConclusionsThe determinations from above studies establish the macro- and microscopic parameters which can be utilized for quick identification of the drug both as whole and in the powdered leaf materials and may helpful in laying down pharmacopoeial standards of this important member of traditional medicine.