Pharmacognostic Study and Physicochemical Analysis of Leaves of Terminalia arjuna

Abstract

Objective: the aim of the present study was to carry out pharmacognostic and physicochemical analysis of Terminalia arjuna (ta) (roxb.) Wight and arn. (Family; Combretaceae) leaf. Materials and Methods: the present study deals with pharmacognostic characters as identification parameters of the leaves which were subjected to macro and microscopic studies. Phyto-physicochemical studies were done using WHO recommended parameters, and fluorescent behavior of the leaf sample was also tested. Results: the microscopy study revealed the presence of anomocytic stomata, trichome, xylem fibers, calcium oxalate crystals, vascular bundles, etc. Macroscopic study showed alternate thickcoriaceous base obtuse-subcordate while margin was crenate-serrate, obtuse or sub-acute at apex. Physiochemical parameters such as ash values, loss on drying, extractive values, fluorescence analysis were also determined. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, cardiac glycosides and saponins. Conclusion: the microscopic and physiochemical analysis of the T. arjuna leaf is useful in standardization for quality, purity, and sample identification.