PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF TENDER LEAVES OF COMBRETUM LATIFOLIUM BLUME - A FOLKLORE MEDICINAL PLANT

Abstract

Objective: The study is undertaken with the intention to document the pharmacognostic characters in order to ascertain identity, quality and authenticity of the crude drug. Further the Phytochemical class predomi-nantly to which the plant belongs will be of great importance contributing to its biological activity and ther-apeutic use. The tender leaves of Combretum latifolium(C. latifolium)Blume. are used to render the immune system strong. Combretum species are extensively used in traditional medicinal system from inflammation to diuretic. The present study is a step to unleash its phytochemical characterization which may be respon-sible for its biological activity. Pharmacognostic characters will serve the drugs identity and authentication. Materials and methods: Sample of crude plant material were collected around Udupi area and its identity was thus confirmed by botanist. Macro-microscopic study of the preserved specimen in the fixative was conducted in the department of Pharmacognosy and preliminary phytochemical test and HPTLC fingerprint of the leaf extract was carried out as per testing protocols. Results and Discussion: The unique microscopic characters of this leaf is arc shaped collateral vascular bundle which is encircled by pericylicfibre. Tri-chomes were found to be absent. Standardization parameters such as moisture content (8.97±0.01), total ash (5.83±0.16), acid insoluble ash (0.10±0.00), water soluble ash (3.19±0.01), alcohol soluble extractive value (7.79±0.01), water soluble extractive value (27.06±0.00) are conducted as a part to prove quality standards proposed by the guidelines. Conclusion: Microscopic characters, standardization parameters, HPTLC will serve as a fingerprint revealing various phytoconstituents pertaining to this plant material. Phy-toconstituents belonging to chemical groups such as alkaloids, carbohydrates, steroids, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, coumarins, resins were found to be present through qualitative screening tests. Proximate analysis involving total fat, fibre, protein, carbohydrates will appraise the total calorific value calculated by the formula (Carbohydrate ˟ 4) + (Fat ˟ 9) + (Protein ˟ 4).