Pharmacognostic and phytochemical evaluation of Gmelina arborea Roxb

Abstract

Gmelina arborea is an important medicinal plant indicated in the traditional Indian medicine. Gmelina arborea, is the most widely cultivated species of the family Verbenaceae having potential medicinal values. G. arborea have been used traditionally for abdominal pain, burning sensation, antihelmintic, laxative and as stomachic. Any plant which is used medicinally requires detailed study prior to its use for the purpose of identification of the plant, to avoid adulteration with other drugs and also for its therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to lay down pharmacognostical and physicochemical standards for Gmelina arborea. Microscopic evaluation showed the presence of phellogen, cork, cortex and phelloderm. Physicochemical studies on G.arborea showed that acid insoluble ash was five times and water soluble ash was about three times less than the total ash. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, anthocyanins, tannins and flavonoids. TLC fingerprinting of petroleum ether, chloroform and ethanol extract was carried out to determine the presence of various phytoconstituents. These findings will be useful towards establishing pharmacognostic standards on identification, purity and quality on this plant which is gaining relevance in plant drug research.