Ethnobotanical Leaflets 13: 293-300. 2009.
Pharmacognostical and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies of Argyreia nervosa Burm.
Krishnaveni, A1 and Santh Rani Thaakur2
1Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Madurai Medical College, Madurai,Tamilnadu, India 2Deparment of Pharmacology, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam, (Women’s University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India 1For correspondence, E-mail: [email protected] com
Issued 15 February 2009
ABSTRACT
Pharmacognostical parameters for the leaves of Argyreia nervosa Burm were studied with the aim of drawing the pharmacopoeial standards for this species. Macroscopical and microscopical characters, physio-chemical constants, quantitative microscopy parameters, extractive values with different solvents, fluorescence analysis of dry powder, its reaction after treatment with chemical reagents under visible light and UVlight at 254 nm and 366 nm. Preliminary phyto chemical screening on the leaves Argyreia nervosa Burm were studied. The determination of these characters will help future researchers in their Phytochemical as well as Pharmacological analyses of this species. Keywords: Argyreia nervosa, Convolvulaceae, pharmacognostic, phytochemical. INTRODUCTION Argyreia nervosa Burm is a climbing shrub with woody tomentose stem,found mainly in Deccan,Karntaka and East slopes of the West Ghats at an altitude of 900m1. It is commonly known as Elephant creeper and in Samudra- sok Hindi2.Traditinally leaves used by Rajasthani tribes to prevent conception3 . Seeds of Argyreia nervosa found to possess hypotension,spamolytic 4, and anti-inflammatory activity5. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of triterpenoids,flavanoids,steroids and lipids6. Roots of Argyreia nervosa proved the immunomodulatory activity against the myelosuppressive effects induced by Cyclophosphamide7. 24R-ergost-5- en-11-oxo-3 beta-ol alpha –D glucopyranoside xylose was isolated from seeds of Argyreia nervosa known as Argyreioside 8.
Table 1. Ethnomedical information on Argyreia nervosa Burm9.
But no pharmacognostical work has been done so far. Therefore, an attempt has been made to study the Pharmacognostic parameters on the leaves of Argyreia nervosa Burm in both whole form and powdered form.
Table 2. Macroscopy of Argyreia nervosa Burm.
Materials and Methods Plant material The plant material was collected from the foothills of Tirumlahills, Tiruapthi.A.P.in the month June2007.The plant was identified and authenticated by Dr.Madhav Shetty,Taxnomist,Dept of Botany, S.V.University, Tiruapthi. A herbarium was preserved in the department for further reference. The leaves were separated, dried, coarsely powdered passed through sieve no 40 and stored in a closed container for further use. All reagents used were of analytical grade obtained from S.D. Fine Chemicals Ltd., Mumbai.
Methods The macroscopical characters (size, shape colour, odour, texture, venation margin, base, apex and petiole) of the leaves were observed10. Then, anatomical study, powder was identified with routine reagents to study the lignified cells, trichomes, stomata, fibres etc. Quantitative microscopy was determined by methods prescribed by Trease and Evans11. The ash values, extractive values with various reagents and were determined as per the Indian Pharmacopoeia12. The behaviour of powdered leaves with various chemical reagents was studied 13,14. The fluoroscence characters of the powder with various acids were observed under visible light and UV light as per the proceduere15. Measurement of vein islet number, vein termination number, stomatal number, stomatal index and length of trichome were determined. Extractive values were performed with various solvents like petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, alcohol and water was performed as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia16. Prelimnary phytochemical tests of the powder/extracts were performed using specific reagents through standard procedures17. Results Analysis and Discussion Colour -green, odour - odourless, taste – slightly bitter , size 15-22cm in length, cordate in shape, tomentose-surface, acute-apex, base-cordate, entire-margin, paripinnate venation and petioled . The physical constants such as total ash value (4.3 %) acid insoluble ash (1.6%) water soluble ash (3.94%) which are specific identification for this species. The soluble extractive values respectively, which indicates the nature of constituents present. Quantitative microscopical study also give valuable information regarding specific leaf constants such as vein islet(10.2/mm2),vein termination number(12.6/mm2) stomatal number(4.5/mm2 and 16 /mm2) upper and lower epidermis respectively. Length of trichome(12.98µ--59.38 µ--101.9µ ) The behaviour of leaf powder upon treatment with different chemical reagents was also observed and reported in table no 5. Fluoroscence studies of powder with various reagents revealed the presence of green & orange fluoroscence with Conc. sulphuric acid and glacial acetic acid respectively under UV light at 254 nm and 366 nm. The powder microscopy revealed the presence of glandular &covering trichomes, xylem fibres, epidermal cells, cork cells, vessels with bordered pits,,xylem vessels with spiral thickenings were recorded. Powder analysis of Argyreia nervosa Burm. It is pale green, fine, odourless powder with slight bitter taste. The powder microscopy revealed the presence of glandular &covering trichomes, xylem fibres, epidermal cells, cork cells, vessels with bordered pits,xylem vessels with spiral thickenings were recorded. The various qualitative chemical tests (table no:7 ) have shown the presence of triterpenoids, saponins, sterols, flavanoids, carbohydrates phenols, tannins and in large amount whereas aromatic acids, , gums and mucilage and volatile oils were totally absent in the leaf extract of this plant.
Table 3. Determination of Ash Values of Argyreia nervosa Burm.
Table 4. Determination of Extractive Values of Argyreia nervosa Burm.
Table 5. Determination of phyto constants of Argyreia nervosa Burm.
Similarly the fluroscence characterstic of the leaf powdered leaf, when treated with various chemical reagents and its extracts have also been extensively studied.The extractive values of the powder with different solvent was determined and its result was reported in table no: The various qualitative chemical tests (table no ) have shown the presence of sterols, flavanoids, phenols, tannins and saponins in large amount whereas aromatic acids, carbohydrates,triterpenoids gums and mucilage and volatile oils were totally absent in the leaf extract of this plant. Powder as such: Colour : Dark green. Taste: Slightly bitter. Odour: Characteristic .
Table 6. Behavioural characterstics of powdered leaves of Argyreia nervosa with different chemical reagents.
Table 7: Preliminary phytochemical screening of Argyreia nervosa Burm.
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