Pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigation of Wedelia trilobata leaves

Abstract

Objective of present work is to study Pharmacognosy of Wedelia trilobata leaves (WTL). It was investigated for morphological and microscopic characters, determination of leaf constants, ash values, extractive values, total phenol, tannin, flavonoid and alkaloid content and preliminary phytochemical study. Microscopical studies indicated the presence of single layer epidermis with cuticle, unicellular covering trichomes and anisocytic stomata. Stomatal number, stomatal index and palisade ratio was 6, 19.3% and 1:5 respectively. Total ash value, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash and sulphated ash was 6.79%w/w 1.23%w/w, 2.61%w/w and 1.09%w/w respectively. Extractive value in methanol was found to be 7.39%w/w. Total phenol, total tannin, total flavonoid and total alkaloid content was found to be 10.67 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, 7.8 mg gallic acid equivalent/g, 5.8 mg quercetin equivalent/g and 1.22 mg atropine equivalent/g respectively. Preliminary phytochemical investigation showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, triterpenoids, carbohydrates and flavonoids.