Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTIC & PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF IXORA ALBA L.

Talpade M. B. and Chachad D. P.*

Abstract

Ixora alba L., (Rubiaceae), a small to medium sized hardy shrub, is cultivated for ornamental purposes. Species of Ixora have been used in traditional Indian systems of medicine for dysentery, healing of ulcers and, more recently, for an anti-tumour activity. They have also been reported to have anti-inflammatory activity. Ixora pavetta roots are reportedly used in urinary diseases. Depending on the medical condition, the flowers, leaves, roots, and the stem are used to treat various ailments in the Indian traditional system of medicine, the Ayurveda, and also in various folk medicines. In the present review, efforts are made in addressing ethnomedicinal uses, chemical constituents, and validate pharmacognostic observations of Ixora alba L., in order to assess its ethnopharmacological use and to explore its therapeutic potentials and future opportunities for research. Primary screening of the MeOH extract of Ixora alba showed the presence of anthracene and arbutin derivatives, bitter and pungent principles, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, essential oils, flavonoids and tannins.

Keywords: Micro and macromorphology, pharmacognosy, phytochemical constituents.