Preliminary pharmacognostical and phytochemical analysis of Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merr. Root

Abstract

Background: Leea indica (Burm. f.)Merr. is distributed in various parts of the world such as India, Malaysia, China, and Thailand. The plant is gathered from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. The root is antidiarrheal, antidysenteric, antispasmodic, cooling, and sudorific. The juice of young leaves is digestive. Preliminary phytochemistry of leaves and stem has already done and revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, lignins, saponins, sterols, tannins, arthraquinone and reducing sugar. Aim: The present study was carried out for the establishment of Pharmacognostical and phytochemical standardization of root. Methods: Macroscopy, powder analysis (Organoleptic and powder microscopy), physiochemical properties like ash values, extractive values of root was done. Results and Conclusion: Microscopy shows normal root structure with 2-5 layered parenchymatous cortex, xylem and phloem. Medullary rays are heterogenous. Total ash of the drug was found to be 6%. The highest percentage of extract was obtained by the extraction with hot water (9.1%) and least with cold alcohol (4.92%). Qualitative phytochemical analysis showed the presence of tannins, phenols, saponins, steroids and glycosides. Maximum phytoconstituents was obtained for cold alcohol extract.