Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTIC FEATURES OF AN ENDEMIC TRADITIONAL MEDICINE BAUHINIA PHOENICEA WIGHT & ARN LEAVES.

Miss. Alby Alphons Baby* and Dr. Regi Raphael K

ABSTRACT

Bauhinia phoenicea Wight & Arn is a medicinal plant endemic to Western Ghats. It is commonly known as „Vallimantharam‟.In traditional medicine, it used against diabetes, skin allergies, fungal infections and worm disturbances. To the best of our knowledge, any scientific studies on this plant is not yet reported. So, as a first step towards unravelling its medicinal property pharmacognocy profiling of the leaves were performed. Taxonomic characters, macroscopic-microscopic features, physicochemical and ultra violet analysis of the leaves were performed. Pharmacognostic standardization of the plant is essential to ensure the purity of the drug in its dried and powdered form. The preliminary qualitative analysis of B.phoenicea leaf indicated the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phenols, steroids and flavonoids. Results highlighted in this paper will be helpful for the correct identification of the crude drug. The further procedures of pharmacological activity screening and identification of active principles are in progress.

Keywords: Bauhinia, microscopy, phytochemistry, ash analysis, traditional medicine.