Abstract

“PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF CHIRALBILVA BARK AND HEART WOOD”

Dr. Dhiraj Kumar Vishwakarma*, Dr. Bulusu Sitaram

Abstract

Background: Pharmacognosy of a plant gives a comprehensive knowledge regarding its method of identification and determination of quality and purity of the raw drugs. Every species has its own characteristic features which determine the authenticity of that particular drug. Phytochemicals are biologically active, naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants, which provide health benefits for humans. These compounds are known as secondary plant metabolites and have biological properties such as antioxidant activity, antimicrobial effect, modulation of detoxification enzymes, stimulation of the immune system etc. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the pharmacognostic properties of Chirabilva- Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch. bark and heart wood. Material and Method: Fresh Chirabilva tender stem is collected for pharmacognostic study and for the Physio-chemical and phytochemical study bark and heart wood of a mature plant is collected. Results and Conclusion: The bark of Chirabilva is slightly curved, outer surface rough, grey to brownish grey, with lenticels and inner surface yellowish brown, fibrous, smooth; fracture hard; odour not characteristic and taste slightly bitter. The heart wood is light yellow with an unpleasant odour when freshly cut, lustrous, somewhat interlocked-grained, medium and even-textured, moderately heavy. Chemically Tannins, Flavonoids, Saponins are present in the stem bark of Chirabilva and Chirabilva heart wood.

Keywords: Pharmacognosy; Phytochemicals; Secondary plant metabolites; Physiochemical; Antioxidant; Antimicrobial; Detoxification.