EVALUATION OF PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF STEM OF ACACIA ARABICA WILLD.

Acacia Arabica Willd.(syn: Acacia nilotica) is a thorny tree belonging to the family Fabaceae and subfamily Mimosoideae. Gum acacia, an exudation obtained from this plant, is included in the GRAS category and used widely as pharmaceutical aid. The plant contains flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds as its phytoconstituents. The plant possesses antioxidant, antipyretic, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal, spasmolytic, antibacterial, hypoglycaemic, antifertility, immune-modulatory, hepatoprotective, hypotensive, and wound healing properties. The present study was done for the assessment of macroscopic characters, microscopic characters and physicochemical parameters. The chemical evaluation was done to identify the identification of active constituents of the plant. Other standardization methods like ash values, extractive values, and moisture content were estimated as per the standard process prescribed in IP. Heavy metal, aflatoxin, microbial contamination, and pesticide residue have also been calculated per the WHO guiding principle. A. arabica is brownish red, cylindrical with fibrous texture, hard to break, and rough to touch. Microscopic characters showed the presence of epidermis, collenchyma, vessels, medullary rays, xylem cells, calcium oxalate crystals, and pith. Heavy metals, aflatoxins, pesticide residues, and microbial count were found within limits per WHO guidelines. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of tannins, phenolic compounds, and flavonoids. The present study was carried out to establish quality parameters for A. arabica, which will be further utilized for the evaluation of pharmacological activity.