PHARMACOGNOSTIC INVESTIGATIONS ON LEAVES OF GREWIA ASIATICA LINN

Abstract

Grewia asiatica, locally known as phalsa, is well known for its nutritional and therapeutic attributes. The plant is believed to possess antipyretic, antidiabetic, analgesic, antibiotic and antimicrobial properties. Any plant which possesses medicinal properties should be subjected to detailed pharmacognostic study so that its proper identification can be done and its adulteration with other drugs can be prevented. The main objective of present study was to carry out various pharmacognostic parameters on the leaves of Grewia asiatica Linn. Various pharmacognostic parameters such as macroscopic, microscopic, physiochemical and phytochemical were studied on the leaves of Grewia asiatica Linn. Microscopic evaluation showed the presence of rectangular shaped epidermal cells with thin, cuticle wall and starch grains, unicellular to multicellular stellate covering trichomes and calcium oxalate crystals. The physicochemical analysis comprises of ash value, moisture content and fluorescence analysis. Phytochemical screening of different solvent extracts of the leaves revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, carbohydrates, saponins and tannins. TLC fingerprinting of petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extract was carried out to determine the presence of various phytoconstituents. This investigation will be useful in determination of identity, purity and quality of G. asiatica plant which will be useful in carrying out research on this plant in future.