Pharmacognostic and Analytical Profile of Leaves of Erythroxylum Moonii Hochr. – An Ethno-Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Erythroxylum moonii Hochr. is a shrub or small tree in family Erythroxylaceae and folklore claims report the use of its leaves in the treatment of helminthiasis. Aim: Hence, present study aims to evaluate the pharmacognostic and analytical characters including HPTLC of its leaves. Methods: E. moonii fresh and powdered leaves were explored for the macroscopic and microscopic features along with their physico-chemical, phytochemical properties and HPTLC following standard procedures. Results: The leaf of E. moonii is simple, alternate, petiolate, stipulate, elliptic and lanceolate with obtusely caudate-acuminate apex, acute base and entire margins. Fresh leaf is light green, slight astringent with characteristic odour and smooth texture. Powdered dry leaves were light green, slight astringent with aromatic odour and coarse, fibrous texture. Microscopic evaluation revealed the presence of simple, bilobed and stellate trichomes (with and without lignification), rosette, rhomboidal, prismatic and cluster crystals, paracytic stomata and starch grains as key characteristics both in fresh leaves and powdered leaves. Obtained values for loss on drying, total ash, acid insoluble ash, pH, water and methanol soluble extractive were 10.44±0.31%, 2.2±0.67%, 0.93±0.06%, 5, 7.63±0.57% and 6.44±0.38% respectively. Qualitative phytochemical analysis suggested the presence of carbohydrates, steroids, glycosides, saponins, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids in the test sample. HPTLC study revealed 17 and 11 peaks at short (254nm) and long (366nm) ultraviolet consecutively. Conclusion: Obtained results can be used to establish pharmacognostic and analytical standards of leaves of E. moonii which can serve as an important source to determine the quality, purity and strength of the powdered drug.