Pharmacognosy and preliminary phytochemical investigation on Mollugo oppositifolia L., A traditional medicinal herb

Abstract

Pharmacognostic and phytochemical analysis of Mollugo oppositifolia L. has been undertaken. Microscopy showed the characters of the dorsiventral leaf, dicot stem and dicot root. Powder microscopy showed the presence of vessel elements, phloem fibres and tannin cells. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, reducing sugar, glycosides, proteins, alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, saponins, mucilage, and organic acids. Physicochemical studies revealed total ash (10.81 %), total moisture content (8.65 %), watersoluble ash (5.43 %), acid insoluble ash (6.21 %), sulphated ash (3.54 %), ethanol extractive (12.73 %) and water soluble extractive (11.21%).