Pharmacognostical and phytochemical study of the stem of Corchorus aestuans Linn

Abstract

Corchorus aestuans Linn (Tiliaceae), popularly known as Chunch, is a small annual herb growing in open waste places at low and medium altitudes, in open areas along dikes and canals in rice fields. The present study deals with pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of leaves of Corchorus aestuans Linn. The pharmacognostical studies were carried out as organoleptic, microscopic and physical parameters such as moisture content, ash value and extractive value were determined. For phytochemical evaluation, Corchorus aestuans leaves were subjected to successive solvent extraction using petroleum ether (60-80 °C), hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and distilled water. These extracts were then screened for presence of different chemical constituents. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) of the tested extracts was also performed to determine the active principles. These studies are useful in identification and chemical characterization of Corchorus aestuans and to explore its phytochemical and pharmacological potential.