PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF THE PLANT LEUCAS ASPERA

Abstract

<p>ABSTRACT<br />Objective: Leucas aspera (Willd.) Linn. is a herbaceous annual distributed throughout India from the Himalayas down to Ceylon. This study was aimed<br />to investigate the pharmacognostical, phytochemical characteristics, and heavy metal content of the aerial parts of L. aspera.<br />Methods: The aerial parts of the plant were subjected to macroscopical and microscopical characterization, followed by physicochemical evaluations<br />using standardized procedures. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) of the dried plant powder was done to determine the metal and mineral<br />content. Preliminary phytochemical screening and metabolite analysis of the hydroalcoholic extract of L. aspera (HAELA) were also performed to<br />analyze the various phytoconstituents.<br />Results: In this study, the microscopic characteristics of L. aspera were found to be consistent with earlier reports. The total ash value was relatively<br />high (11.5% w/w). Alcohol soluble and water-soluble extractive values were found to be 6.5% and 9%, respectively. AAS indicated the plant to<br />contain insignificant quantities of heavy metals and considerable amounts of copper, sodium, potassium, and iron. Phytochemical analysis revealed<br />the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, lignins, phenols, saponins, sterols, and tannins in HAELA.<br />Conclusion: The pharmacognosy - anatomical, physicochemical, heavy metal characteristics, and the preliminary phytochemical studies of the aerial<br />parts of L. aspera have revealed the presence of phytoconstituents such as triterpenoids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and glycosides; insignificant<br />quantities of heavy metals and significant content of phenolics and tannins in the plant.<br />Keywords: Leucas aspera, Ash value, Heavy metal content, Atomic absorption spectroscopy.</p>