The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2019;8(5):220-225 ;   DOI:10.31254/phyto.2019.8503

Research Article

Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical studies on leaf and fruit of Adansonia digitata L.

Shikha Sharma¹ , Vinay J Shukla² , Chanappa R Harisha³ , Bhupesh R Patel⁴

Shikha Sharma,Vinay J Shukla,Chanappa R Harisha,Bhupesh R Patel

1. Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Gujarat, India
2. HOD, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Gujarat, India
3. HOD, Department of Pharmacognosy, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Gujarat, India
4. Associate Professor, Department of Dravyguna, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Gujarat, India

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 27th August, 2019 / Accepted: 11th October, 2019

Abstract

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Background: Adansonia digitata, the baobab, is the well-known tree species of the genus Adansonia. Aim and Objectives: Review reveals that the leaves and fruit of the plant are used traditionally in the treatment of fever, diarrhea, dysentery, ophthalmic, insect bites, inflammation, and pain. Although it is used traditionally, scientifically the plant is yet to be evaluated for its pharmacognostical characters. Hence, the plant parts were subjected to macro-microscopic, photomicrographic, physicochemical, and preliminary phytochemical tests to fix the quality standards for this drug. Method: Plant authentication, pharmacognostical study, physicochemical and phytochemical study was performed by following standard procedures as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India. Results: Microscopy of T. S. of rachis shows circular to orbicular in shape, in the cortical region parenchyma cells heavily loaded by tannin content, cluster and rosette crystals. Schematic outline of T. S. of the leaflet is bulged in the center and consist of the outer epidermis, mesophyll cells differentiated into upper palisade and lower spongy parenchyma while lower epidermis interrupted by anisocytic type of stomata. T.S. of fruit shows the presence of epidermis followed by layers of stone cells and sclerids and T.S. of seed shows outer hard testa, spool cells layer, inner large endosperm. Both samples show Loss on drying less than 6% and very few amounts of acid insoluble ash which directly indicate the amount of inorganic residue. Fruits are slightly acidic in nature. Qualitative tests showed the presence of carbohydrate, tannin, flavonoid, and steroids in leaves and fruits. Conclusion: This study would be useful in the identification and authentication of the raw drug.

Keywords

Baobab, Bombacaceae, Microscopy, Phytochemistry.

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