Pharmacognostic and phytochemical evaluation of Colubrina travancorica Bedd.

Abstract

Colubrina travancorica Bedd. is a member in Rhamnaceae family. The plant is endemic to southern Western Ghats. It is traditionally used to relieve pain. Eventhough several species of Colubrina has been used in traditional medicine and in industry, scientific experiments are lacking in Colubrina travancorica. The aim of the present study, as a part of quantitative microscopy, stomatal number, stomatal index, trichome length & breadth and veinislet number were determined. Two solvents viz; water and methanol was used to obtain extracts from powdered plant parts. The extracts were subjected to qualitative phytochemical screening using standard procedure. Water extract of stem, leaf and roots shows the presence of diverse group of phytochemicals. Powder analysis and reaction with different reagents can be used for the identification of the various parts of the plant. The present study, phytochemical evaluation of the leaf, stem and root extract has been undertaken as an initial step to understand the pharmaceutical potential of the plant.