Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSY STUDIES OF GUAZUMA ULMIFOLIA, LAM. OF THE FAMILY MALVACEAE

Dr. Ch. Subbalakshmi and Dr. G. Meerabai*

ABSTRACT

The present study was undertaken to study the pharmacognostic characters such as Physico – chemical constants, inorganic mineral analysis, and its fluorescence analysis of the powder of the plant G.ulmifolia Lam. of the family Malvaceae, which is having a high medicinal value. Ash analysis of the leaves resulted high sulphated ash followed by the acid insoluble ash and then water soluble ash. The water soluble extractive values are high than alcohol. The fluorescence analysis was conducted with samples extracted in hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide, sulphuric acid and methanol. Observations were made under visible light and under UV light of short wave length and long wave length and detected that the drug is pure since they showed their identical colors. Inorganic mineral analysis revealed the presence of high Iron (689 mg./kg), and manganese (682 mg/kg) followed by sodium (250mg/kg), Phosphates(219), copper (120mg/kg) and then zinc (115mg/kg) contents in the leaves. Heavy metals are reported in very meager quantities indicating that the drug is not toxic. To explore the potentials, further studies are needed.

Keywords: Pharmacognosy, physico-chemical constants, fluorescence, minerals, heavy metals etc.