Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Exploration of Merremia aegyptia (L.) Urb. Leaf

Abstract

Background: Merremia aegyptia (L.) Urb. belongs to the family Convolvulaceae. It is locally known as panch pan ni fudardi or Gariyavel by the people of Gujarat. Ethnomedicinally, leaves of M. aegyptia are claimed to be used in the management of shotha, vrana, etc. Though traditionally it is a well-known plant but no proper scientific evaluation of its pharmacognostical character and preliminary phytochemical analysis has been reported till date. Materials and method: The present study has been carried out to establish the standardization of leaf of the plant through its macro- and microscopical characters, physicochemical analysis, alkaloids, tannin, saponin and other qualitative tests, and chromatographic study per the standard procedure. Result and discussion: The macroscopic study showed that leaves are 12–15 cm in length, 10–12 cm in width, reticulate venation, and a petiole of 8–10 cm long. Leaves transverse section (TS) showed the presence of trichomes, collenchyma, and vascular bundles. Powder microscopy of the dried leaves showed the presence of paracytic stomata on the lower epidermis and unicellular trichomes of the epidermis, rosette, and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate. The analytical study shows the presence of alkaloids, tannins, and carbohydrates. The high performance thin layer chrometography (HPTLC) study showed three spots at 254 nm and five spots at 366 nm. Conclusion: The observed data can be helpful to identify and standardize the leaf of M. aegyptia (L.) Urb.