Pharmacognostical, physicochemical and phytochemical evaluation of Huberantha senjiana (Annonaceae) leaf: An endemic tree of Gingee Hills Tamil Nadu India

Abstract

Context: Huberantha senjiana (Annonaceae) is a small tree found in dry rocky soils. It is an endemic species native to the Gingee hills of the Villupuram district of Tamil Nadu, India. The literature survey provides no scientific evidence on its pharmacognostical as well as pharmacological aspect. Aims: To evaluate the detailed pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and phytochemical characters of H. senjiana leaves. Methods: The pharmacognostic evaluation, such as macroscopic and microscopic characters of fresh leaf and powder, was done. Physicochemical constants like moisture content, extractive values, ash values, foaming index, swelling index, and fluorescence analysis were carried out. The phytochemical screening test and elemental analysis of the powdered leaves were also studied. Results: Microscopy of the leaf revealed a single layer of square-shaped epidermal cells, the adaxial epidermal layer is apostomatic, and the abaxial epidermal layer is stomatiferous with paracytic stomata, an arch-shaped vascular bundle, clusters of prismatic crystals, spongy parenchyma cells, and palisade cells. Prismatic calcium oxalate crystals, fibers, epidermal trichomes, palisade mesophyll, xylem vessels, and a fragment of the epidermal cell with paracytic stomata were also identified in the microscopy of powdered samples. The phytochemical analysis of sequential extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, carbohydrates, tannins, and steroids. The elemental analysis revealed the presence of heavy metals within the standard limit and trace elements in different concentrations. Conclusions: The pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and phytochemical data have been reported for the first time, which provides referential information for the right identification and standardization of this unexplored species.