Arun Joshi

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.

The present study was undertaken for the development of physicochemical and phytochemical parameters of the roots of Grewia microcos Linn. belonging to the family Tiliaceae. In Hindi it is known as Shiral and Konkani as Chivra or aasale. Physicochemical and phytochemical investigation confirms the purity and authenticity of the roots of  Grewia microcos using standard methods. Physicochemical studies of the crude powder of the roots revealed the moisture content as 7.5%w/w, Swelling Index as 1.3 cm, Foaming Index as 454.44,  Alcohol soluble extractive as 0.244%w/w, Water soluble extractive as 0.232%w/w, Ether soluble extractive 0.04%w/w. Total Ash as 5%w/w, Water soluble ash as 2.15%w/w and Acid Insoluble ash as 2%w/w. Fluorescence analysis is a tool to determine the chemical nature of the crude drug which is reported in short wavelength, Long wavelength and day light. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanolic extract of the roots revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, tannins, saponins, triterpenoids and steroids. All these methods will help in laying down the pharmacopoeial standards in determining the quality and purity of the roots of Grewia microcos.

The present study reports the phytochemical investigation of the stem bark of Tectona grandis. Nine phytoconstituents have been reported namely Eicosanyl Eicosanoate, β-Sitosterol, Ursolic acid, Lupeol, Betulinic acid, Betulin, Betulinaldehyde, Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and Tectol. Eicosanyl eicosanoate and Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate have been reported for the first time from stem bark of T. grandis.

The present study reports the phytochemical investigation of the rhizomes of Sansevieria roxburghiana belonging to the family Dracanaceae. Nine phytoconstituents have been reported namely Palmitic acid, 6,4-dihydroxy-3-propen chalcones, 4-propenoxy-7-hydroxyanthocyanidines, Caftaric acid, Isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Buphanidrine, Gallic acid and Di-isobutyl phthalate. These isolated compounds are reported for the first time from the rhizomes of Sansevieria roxburghiana.