Pharmacognostical Studies on the Leaves of Caesalpinia sappan Linn (Fabaceae)

Abstract

Botanical medicine, herbalism, and herbal medicine are all terms that describe the same practice. There are many different chemical compounds found in and produced by herb plants that have physiological effects. Traditional herbal medicine is an integral part of the medical systems of all indigenous peoples, including Ayurvedic, naturopathic, homeopathic, traditionally oriental, and native American Indian medicines. The amount and quality of medicinal components determine the medicinal plant’s therapeutic effectiveness. Misidentification is the first step in the unlawful use of plant-based materials or herbal remedies. Pharmacognostical studies of medicinal plants by proper standardization parameters ensures plant identification and authentication. Brazil, or Sappan wood, is a popular name for Caesalpinia sappan Linn., which belongs to the Fabaceae family. In Hindi, it is referred to as Bakam/Patang. The Malay Peninsula, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, and Vietnam all have a long history of using the medicinal herb C. sappan Linn. heartwood is beneficial for Pitta, burning feelings, injuries, ulcers, leprosy, dermatological ailments, dysentery, diabetes, loose stool, and more, according to Ayurveda. The tree’s huge, decorative panicles of yellow blossoms are the reason it’s grown in gardens. The plant grows rapidly after being produced from seed. Cultivated throughout every region of tropical Asia, this spreading shrub or tree may reach a height of 10 m. It is native to and exists in the wild in places like the southern part of India, the West Bengal region, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Malaya, as well as Sri Lanka. The wood has an especially smooth, uniform appearance, is somewhat massive, and has a strong, orange-red color. Its grain is straight. Branchlets, pubescent and rufous, equipped with tiny prickles. Pinnae are 9 to 14 pairs in number. Leaves are big, hairy to glabrous, and have little prickles at the base and leaflets are subsessile, oblong, membranous, and obliquely truncate, with 10 to 20 pairs per pinna. Primarily, it promotes blood flow and acts as an analgesic, emmenagogue, hemostatic, and anti-inflammatory in traditional Chinese medicine for traumatic diseases. One of the ingredients of the world-famous Indian toothpaste and powder Vicco-Vajradanti is the wood of the C. sappan Linn Tree. Some research suggests that C. sappan Linn. may have antidiabetic effects. The flavonoid of C. sappan Linn. wood extract is protosappanin, Brazilin, and gallic acid compounds. Brazilin has a mechanism of action to increase the production of fructose 2,6 bisphosphate and hexose six phosphate. Fructose 2,6 bisphosphate in the metabolic process has a role in regulating glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in the liver. Increased fructose 2,6 bisphosphate in a state of hyperglycemia will stimulate the process of glucose breakdown (glycolysis) by activating phosphofructokinase 1 intended for the purpose of can be a reduction in blood glucose levels in body. This paper deals with the morphological studies and microscopical studies carried out on the leaves of C. sappan Linn according to the World Health Organization (WHO) accepted parameter for the identification of medicinal plants. For a better understanding of structure, zooming in using a Zeiss Axio Cam Erc5s digital camera and a Nikon ECLIPSE-E200 trinocular microscope under strong field lighting also employed.