Pharmacognostic standardisation of Combretum albidum G. Don leaf; a medicinally important liana

Abstract

To establish the standardization parameters for complete pharmacognostic evaluation of leaves of Combretum albidum G. Don, a medicinally important liana. Macro- and microscopical, physico-chemical evaluations of leaves were investigated and preliminary phytochemical analysis, GC–MS analysis and HPTLC profiles were carried out for qualitative phytochemical evaluation of various extracts of leaves of C. albidum. Macro, micro, powder and scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of leaf were examined and recorded the result. Physico-chemical parameters like moisture content (11.02 ± 0.05) % w/w, total ash (13.79 ± 0.05) % w/w and respectively acid insoluble ash (0.48 ± 0.01) % w/w extractive and values of alcohol (13.42 ± 0.01) % w/w and water (20.28 ± 0.02) % w/w and sequential extractive values of sample in petroleum ether (5.14%), ethyl acetate (4.55%) and methanol (11.48%) were also evaluated. Preliminary phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of tannins, flavonoids, triterpenes, glycosides and saponins. A well resolved HPTLC profiles was recorded in sequential extraction with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol. GC–MS analysis showed the presence of 18 compounds such as caryophyllene (21.58%), linalool (10.69%), β-phellandrene (8.74%) and phytol (7.02%) were the other major compounds present. The above parameters, which are being reported for the first time, are significant towards establishing the pharmacognostic standards for future identification and authentication of genuine plant material.