Physicochemical and Phytochemical Investigation of the roots of Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr.

The present study was undertaken for the development of physicochemical and phytochemical parameters of the roots of Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr. belonging to the family Anacardiaceae. The plant is known in Hindi as Jhingan, in Kannada as Manjistha, in English as Wodier, in Sanskrit as Jhingini and in Konkani as Moi. The physicochemical and phytochemical investigation confirms the purity and authenticity of Lannea coromandelica roots by using standard methods. The physicochemical studies revealed the presence of moisture content as13.7 % w/w, total ash as 10.725 % w/w, acid insoluble ash as 0.975 % w/w, water soluble ash as 1.825 % w/w, alcohol soluble extractive as 10 % w/w, water soluble extractive as 10.8 % w/w, ether soluble extractive as 2.3 % w/w, foaming index as less than 100 and swelling index as 0.733 cm. The fluorescence analysis in short wavelength, long wavelength and day light is also reported, which is a tool to determine the chemical nature of crude drug. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract of the roots revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, proteins, flavonoids, triterpenoids, steroids, tannins and saponins. All these methods will help in setting down pharmacopoeial standards in determining the quality and purity of the Lannea coromandelica roots.