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| PHARMACEUTICAL STANDARDIZATION |
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| Year : 2014 | Volume
: 35
| Issue : 3 | Page : 309-315 |
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Preliminary pharmacognostic and phytochemical standardization of Dhataki [Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz.] leaves
Vanmala V Birajdar, Archana G Mhase, Arun M Gurav, Soma N Murthy
Department of Botany, National Institute of Basic Ayurvedic Sciences, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra, India
| Date of Web Publication | 20-Mar-2015 |
Correspondence Address:
Arun M Gurav
Research Officer, National Institute of Basic Ayurvedic Sciences, Kothrud, Pune - 411 038, Maharashtra
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.153752
 Abstract | | |
Background: Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz., known as Dhataki, is an important medicinal plant used in Ayurveda. Recent studies on leaf showed that it contains important chemical constituents responsible for biological activities. The ethnic folk from India and Nepal are using the leaf to treat ulcers, rheumatism, fever, hemoptysis and as a disinfectant. It is also reported to be used in perfume, leather and textile industries. Aim: To investigate preliminary pharmacognostical and phytochemical parameters of leaf to standardize the drug. Materials and Methods: Identification of plant was done as per the standard guidelines given in the floras. Macro and microscopic evaluation performed as per the routine laboratory procedures. Phytochemical, physico-chemical, florescence analysis, behavior of powdered drug have been conducted as per the WHO guidelines. Results: Unique arrangement of the vascular bundle in mid rib region is observed. Aqueous and alcoholic extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannins, and flavonoids. Conclusion: The findings of this study will be helpful in the identification of Dhataki leaf. Keywords: Dhataki , pharmacognosy, physico-chemical, Woodfordia fruticosa
How to cite this article:
Birajdar VV, Mhase AG, Gurav AM, Murthy SN. Preliminary pharmacognostic and phytochemical standardization of Dhataki [Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz.] leaves. AYU 2014;35:309-15 |
How to cite this URL:
Birajdar VV, Mhase AG, Gurav AM, Murthy SN. Preliminary pharmacognostic and phytochemical standardization of Dhataki [Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz.] leaves. AYU [serial online] 2014 [cited 2023 Jun 3];35:309-15. Available from: https://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2014/35/3/309/153752 |
| Introduction | |  |
Woodfordia fruticosa (L.) Kurz. belongs to family Lythraceae. In Ayurveda, it is known as Dhataki, Tamrapushpi, Bahupushpi, Dhaity, Dhavani and Dhai. Flowers are used to prepare Asavas and Arishtas and effective in leucorrhea, dysmenorrhea, dysuria and hematuria. [1],[2],[3]
Although, in Ayurveda, usage of leaves has not been reported; tribal people are using leaves to treat fever, [4],[5] hemoptysis [6] rheumatism [7] and as disinfectant. [8],[9] Leaves are being used to treat ulcers, [10] for milk enhancement in livestock [11] and in perfume, leather and textile industries. [12]
The leaves contain flavonoids, [13] essential oil [14] and phenolic compounds, responsible for antimicrobial and antiradical activity. [15],[16]
Keeping in view the medicinal importance of Dhataki leaves as reported by the ethnic communities of India and Nepal; the study is aimed to standardize the leaf using pharmacognostic and phytochemical parameters.
| Materials and Methods | | |
Collection of sample
Drug required for the study was collected from pollution free area; thoroughly washed under running tap water, and allowed water to drain from leaves. Leaves were shade dried, and powder was prepared with the help of grinding mill. Powder was sifted through 60 mesh sieve and preserved in air tight containers for further studies.
Preparation of herbarium
Plant samples of W. fruticosa were identified and authenticated with the help of The Flora of British India [17] and Flora of Maharashtra state. [18] Plant specimen was authenticated by comparing herbarium specimen available at Botanical Survey of India. Herbarium was prepared and deposited in the herbarium section of Institute with a voucher specimen no. 2578.
Preparation of wet sample
Freshly collected and thoroughly washed leaves were kept in a glass bottle containing a solution of (Formalin: Glacial acetic acid: 70% Ethyl alcohol; [10:5:85]. [19]
Microscopy
Free hand section of midrib, lamina were taken with the help of platinum razor blades. Sections were treated with phloroglucinol, followed by HCl, Iodine, and Sudan red-III for identification of various cellular details. Peelings of upper and lower epidermii were prepared to study types of stomata, stomatal index, stomatal number and palisade ratio. Camera lucida drawings were made with the help of prism type of camera lucida. Micrometry was performed as per the standard procedure. [20] Microphotographs were captured with the help of Samsung digital camera attached to the microscope.
Phytochemical and physico-chemical analysis
Dried leaf powder was used for the analysis of physico-chemical parameters such as total ash, acid insoluble ash, loss on drying, swelling index, foaming index, pH, extractive values and phytochemical tests for carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, saponin, and flavonoids. Fluorescence analysis and behavior of powder drug were done as per the standard guidelines. To study the behavior of powder drug with different chemical reagents, pinch of powder was kept on the surface of reagent and behavior was recorded. [20],[21],[22]
| Results and Discussion | | |
Macroscopy
Leaves are simple, opposite to sub-opposite, sessile, exstipulate, dorsiventeral, 3.5-8 cm long and 1.22.5 cm wide, lanceolate, oblong to lanceolate, ovate to lanceolate, acute, apices slightly curved, oblique, rounded or curved at base, upper surface smooth, pubescent, dark green, lower surface pubescent, glabrous, light green, nigro-punctate, prominent intra-marginal nerves in 6-12 pairs, taste slightly astringent and odor characteristic [Figure 1] and [Figure 2].
Microscopic evaluation
Transverse section passing through midrib
Midrib is dorsally convex and ventrally flat convex with notch in the center [Figure 3] and [Figure 4]. Transverse section showed tangentially elongated, squarish to rectangular cells of upper and lower epidermis, measuring 13.2 μm to 44 μm and 6.4 μm to 20.2 μm length and width, respectively. The upper and lower epidermii are covered with thick cuticle and numerous simple, curved uni to multicellular trichomes. Trichomes are 22 μm to 250.8 μm in length and 3 μm to 9 μm in width. 10-12 layers of collenchyma are present below the upper epidermis and 3-4 layers are present above the lower epidermis. Collenchyma is composed of circular to oval shaped cells measuring 22-35 μm in diameter [Figure 5]. Collenchyma is followed by 4-5 layers of parenchyamatous cells embedded with cluster crystals of calcium oxalate and starch grains [Figure 6]. Centre is occupied by arc of endarch, bi-collateral, closed vascular bundle traversed with uni to bi-seriate medullary rays [Figure 7]. Phloem is 15-17 layered, contains cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, and simple, oval starch grains; 5-10 groups of fibers are traversed in the region [Figure 8]. Xylem is composed of pitted, spiral, and annular vessels, parenchyma, and uni to bi-seriate xylem rays followed by 4-5 layers of thin walled irregularly shape parenchyma. 5-6 layers of fibers are present traversed with parenchymatous cells [Figure 12]. Ground tissues are composed of 6-7 layers of oval to oblong cells embedded with cluster crystals of calcium oxalate and few simple, oval starch grains [Figure 13]. Underneath this, 2-3 layers of collenchyma present [Figure 14]. Cellular details of section passing through midrib are presented in the form of the line drawing obtained with the help of camera lucida [Figure 15]. | Figure 3: Diagrammatic transverse section of midrib. Col: Collenchyama, cu: Cutical, fb: Fibers, lepi: Lower epidermis, pal: Palisade, ph: Phloem, tr: Trichome, uepi: Upper epidermis
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 | Figure 4: Transverse section passing through midrib. Col: Collenchyma, fib: Fibres, par: Parenchyama, ph: Phloem, tr: Trichome, xy: Xylem
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 | Figure 5: Upper epidermis with collenchyma. Clr: Cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, col: Collenchyma, cu: Cuticle, tr: Trichome, uepi: Upper epidermis
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 | Figure 6: Parenchyma. Clr: Cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, mr: Medullary rays, par: Parenchyma, ph: Phloem, sg: Starch grains
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 | Figure 7: Xylem. mr: Medullary rays, ph: Phloem, xpar: Xylem parenchyma, v: Vessel
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 | Figure 8: Phloem. Fib: Fibres, mr: Medullary rays, ph: Phloem, par: Parenchyma, sg: Starch grains
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 | Figure 12: Lower phloem and fiber. Fib: Fibre, par: Parenchyma, ph: Phloem, v: Vessel
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 | Figure 13: Ground tissue parenchyma. Clr: Cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, par: Parenchyma
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 | Figure 14: Lower epidermis with collenchyma and trichome. Col: Collenchyma, cu: Cutical, lepi: Lower epidermis, tr: Trichome
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 | Figure 15: Detailed diagrammatic transverse section of Midrib. Clr: Cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, col: Collenchyma, cu: Cutical, fb: Fibers, lepi: Lower epidermis, mr: Medullary rays, par: Parenchyma, ph: Phloem, sg: Starch grains, tr: Trichome, uepi: Upper epidermis
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Transverse section passing through lamina
Section passing through lamina shows tangentially elongated squarish to rectangular cells of upper and lower epidermis shows simple, curved, uni to multicellular trichome and are covered with thick cuticle. Underneath upper epidermis, single layer of cylindrical palisade cells containing chlorophyll pigments are present. It is followed by 4-6 layers of spongy parenchyma embedded with chlorophyll pigments, clusters of calcium oxalate. It is traversed with obliquely cut vascular strand [Figure 16] and [Figure 17]. | Figure 16: Diagrammatic transverse section of lamina. Cu: Cutical, lepi: Lower epidermis, pal: Palisade, spar: Spongy parenchyma, tr: Trichome, uepi: Upper epidermis, vb: Vascular bundles
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 | Figure 17: Transverse section of lamina. Lepi: Lower epidermis, pal: Palisade, spar: Spongy parenchyma, tr: Trichome, uepi: Upper epidermis, vb: Vascular bundles
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Powder microscopy
Powdered drug showed groups of epidermal cells with anomocytic and anisocytic types of stomata, trichome and trichome base in surface view [Figure 18] and [Figure 19]. Fragments of crystalloid fibers were also found. Presences of fragments of simple, curved, unicellular trichome were also seen [Figure 20]. Annular, spiral and pitted vessels measuring average length and breadth of 1795.86 μm, 130.53 μm; 890 μm, 218.53 μm; and 1224.66 μm, 121.46 μm respectively are observed [Figure 9] [Figure 10] [Figure 11]. Powder also shows upper epidermis with striations in surface view [Figure 21], fragment of collenchyma cells, cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, isolated starch grains, fragment of parenchymatous cells containing cluster crystals of calcium oxalate [Figure 22] and [Figure 23]. | Figure 18: Lower epidermis in surface view. Lepi: Lower epidermis, st: Stomata, tr: Trichome
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 | Figure 19: Upper epidermis in surface view. Uepi: Upper epidermis, tr: Trichome, trb: Trichome base
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 | Figure 21: Upper epidermis with striated cutical. Str: Striations, trb: Trichome bases, uepi: Upper epidermis
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 | Figure 22: Fibers containing cluster crystals of calcium oxalate. Clr: Cluster crystals of calcium oxalate, fib - fibers, lepi: Lower epidermis, tr: Trichome
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 | Figure 23: Powder characters. (a) Upper epidermis in surface view; (b) lower epidermis in surface view; (c) fibers containing cluster crystals of calcium oxalate; (d) fragment of collenchyma; (e) cluster crystals of calcium oxalate; (f) starch grains; (g) parenchyma cells containing crystals; (h) spiral vessel; (i) annular vessel; (j) pitted vessel; (k) fragment of trichomes
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Physico-chemical content
Powder shows average ash value 5.05%, acid insoluble ash 0.05%, extractive values in different solvent, water soluble extractive 15%, ethyl alcohol soluble extractives 25.94%, petroleum ether soluble extractives 2.52%, chloroform soluble extractive 5.20%, carbon tetra chloride soluble extractives 3.51%, ethyl acetate soluble extractives 5.04%, acetone soluble extractive 17.7% and methyl alcohol soluble extractives 25.11%. Aqueous solution of leaves is acidic in nature and showed 4.6 pH and 4.6 foaming index. Animocytic and anisocytic types of stoma are found in the leaves with 14.29% stomatal index, 4.6 stomata per millimeter square and 1:6 palisade ratio [Table 1].
Phytochemical content
Aqueous and alcoholic extracts were subjected to different chemical tests for presence of different phytochemicals in leaf powder. Aqueous extract of leaf showed presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, phenols, saponin, and flavonoids. Whereas, all the above except saponin were tested positive in alcohol extract [Table 2].
Fluorescence analysis
Extracts obtained from different solvents were observed under ultra violet (UV) light at 254 nm and 366 nm wavelength, and under day light. Extract showed remarkable change in color under UV light. Under ordinary light, ethyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, acetone, methyl alcohol extracts showed green color, umber color was observed in carbon tetra chloride and distilled water extracts, whereas luteous (light yellow) and citrus (dull light green) color was observed in petroleum ether and chloroform extracts respectively. Under short UV light, herbage green color was displayed from the extracts of ethyl alcohol, petroleum ether and distilled water, dark purple color was observed from extracts of chloroform, acetone, and methyl alcohol. Light yellow and dark violet color reflected from extracts of carbon tetra chloride and ethyl acetate. Ethyl alcohol extract showed blood red color under long UV light, dull to dark purple color was exhibited with the extract of petroleum ether, chloroform and distilled water [Table 3]. | Table 3: Fluorescence behavior of different extracts of Woodfordia fruticosa leaf
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Behavior of powdered drug
Powder drug exhibited a unique behavior with a particular solvent or reagent. Powder floats on the surface of almost all solvents used in the study except glacial acetic acid solutions. In sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, ferric chloride, powder turns reddish black, green, orange yellow, dark green respectively. Powder turns brownish yellow in the solution of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide.
| Discussion | | |
Pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigation showed that the cellular structure of the leaf having diagnostic characters such as two types of stomata with striations on the upper epidermis. Presence of bi-collateral, closed and end arch vascular bundle in the midrib region is a unique feature of leaves. Presence of alkaloids, saponin and tannins and phenolic compounds in both alcoholic and aqueous extracts and could be used to prepare new herbal drug to treat various diseases. However, quantitative estimation of alkaloids, tannin, phenol, flavonoids contents are need to be establish as these compounds are being utilized in pharmaceutical industries. Drug showed a remarkable difference in florescence studies and with various chemical reagents. Seasonal variation in the chemical contents of leaf needs to be investigated in future to utilize the drug in the medicine.
| Conclusion | | |
Pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical investigations of leaf showed unique diagnostic characters, which could be helpful to identify the leaf drug of Dhataki.
| Acknowledgment | | |
Authors are highly thankful to the Director General, Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences, New Delhi for providing facilities to compete this project work.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4], [Figure 5], [Figure 6], [Figure 7], [Figure 8], [Figure 9], [Figure 10], [Figure 11], [Figure 12], [Figure 13], [Figure 14], [Figure 15], [Figure 16], [Figure 17], [Figure 18], [Figure 19], [Figure 20], [Figure 21], [Figure 22], [Figure 23]
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3]
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