Abstract

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF THE EXTRACTS OF BAUHINIA RACEMOSA LINN.

Akelesh T.*, Gopal V., G. Jeyabalan, Sam Johnson Udaya Chander J., Manavalan R. and Venkatanarayan R.

ABSTRACT

Bauhinia racemosa Linn. (Caesalpinaceae) is an ornamental plant found throughout subtropical, India, North and South America, Nepal, Australia, Africa and United Kingdom. The plant is commonly known as Mandarai in Tamil and Khairwal in Hindi. Numerous types of biological activities are attributed to bauhinia species. B. racemosa is the most important species used to treat many ailments in traditional system of medicine. There are a few reports for the use of this plant for its anti diarrhoeal, anticancer and thyroid gland stimulating properties. The aim of the present investigation has been to study the important pharmacognostical characteristics of the leaves of Bauhinia racemosa in both whole and powdered form. Results of the phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, glycosides, flavanoids and steroids.

Keywords: Bauhinia racemosa, Phytochemical, Pharmacognostical.