Pharmacognostical, phytochemical and physiochemical studies of Bridelia tomentosa Bl.

Abstract

To provide a scientific basis for identification of Bridelia tomentosa Bl., the current study was carried out for pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical analysis. The roots, stems and leaves were used for character identification, microscopic identification and physicochemical parameters analysis which mainly included the commonly used methods, like ash value, UV absorption spectrum and thin layer chromatography (TLC) etc. Pharmacognostic studies revealed presence of non-glandular hairs in leaf midrib transverse section, calcium oxalate cluster crystals and calcium oxalate crystals in stem transverse section, fibers in root transverse section, cork cells, fibers, non-glandular trichomes, pitted vessels, calcium oxalate crystals and calcium oxalate crystal clusters in powder microscopy. Phytochemical investigation showed the presence of carbohydrates, tannins and volatile oils from water and petroleum ether soluble extract, while flavones, phytosterol and triterpene were detected from ethanol extract and alkaloids from acid-water soluble extract. The presence of chlorogenic acid in Bridelia tomentosa extract with specific Rf values was detected using TLC. The findings confirmed that Bridelia tomentosa clearly has significant pharmacognostical characters, which would be valuable for providing a dependable foundation for authenticity of plant materials.