Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF STEM BARK OF SHIRISHA (ALBIZIA LEBBECK BENTH.)

Nirali Vekariya*, Dilip Jani, Dharmendra Jani, S. Singh and Urvi Pandya

ABSTRACT

Background: Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck Benth.) is one of the most significant plant in Ayurveda, which belongs to Fabaceae family. This present study has been carried out to establish the stem bark of plant for its morphological, microscopical and physicochemical characters with different phytochemical qualitative tests as per API. Microscopy of stem bark showed dead tissue of rhytidome, prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, stone cells and fibres. powder microscopy of Shirisha (A. Lebbeck) stem bark shows stone cells of different size and shapes, acicular and prismatic crystals, parenchymatous cells with starch grain. Physicochemical parameters showed pH (5.61), loss on drying (10.48%w/w), ash value (5.47%w/w), Acid insoluble ash (0.39%w/w), water soluble extractive (84.70%w/v) and alcohol soluble extractive (26.50%w/w). Preliminary phytochemical analysis for the presence of various functional groups such as flavonoids, proteins, carbohydrates, tannins etc. were also studied. These observations can be helpful for identification and standardization of Shirisha (A. Lebbeck).

Keywords: Shirisha (Albizia lebbeck Benth.), Ayurveda, Fabaceae, Stem bark.