PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF BOMBAX MALABARICUM LEAVES

In different parts of India, Bombax malabaricum (Family: Bombacaceae), is well known for its traditional use in inflammation, prolapse of uterus or vagina, menorrhoea, diarrhoea, wound etc. Literature survey showed that the leaves of Bombax malabaricum have anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic and antioxidant activities. Although the plant has much potentiality, proper pharmacognostical standardization of the parts of the plant was still deficient. The aim of the present research work was to carry out a systematic pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Bombax malabaricum leaves. After collection, the leaves were authenticated and evaluated pharmacognostically to establish its macroscopical and microscopical characters and also that of the powdered leaves. In the microscopical features of Bombax malabaricum leaves, full of mucilage containing cells and numerous calcium oxalate crystal containing mesophyll tissues were seen. In the powder microscopy, stone cell, reticulate type xylem vessels, multicellular covering trichome and glandular trichome were seen. In preliminary phytochemical screening, the methanol extract of the leaves showed the presence of steroids, carbohydrates, tannins, triterpenoids, deoxysugar, flavonoids and coumarin glycosides. The present study, thus, will help to provide important information with respect to the proper identification of the plant for utilization in different herbal products.