Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
www.pharmscidirect.com
Int J Pharm Biomed Res 2010, 1(1), 24-27
International Journal of
PHARMACEUTICAL
AND BIOMEDICAL
RESEARCH
ISSN No: 0976-0350
Research article
Received: 10 Feb 2010 / Revised: 16 Feb 2010 / Accepted: 17 Feb 2010 / Online publication: 24 Feb 2010
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study is to cover the pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical screening of Corallocarpus
epigaeus. The root and rhizome of Corallocarpus epigaeus belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae is a widely grown plant
throughout India. The plant has many valuable medicinal properties. The plant was collected from the local regions and was
authenticated by the botanist. Pharmacognostical study included macroscopical characters, microscopical characters,
physico-chemical constants and fluorescence analysis. Preliminary phytochemical screening includes phytochemical
extraction, phytochemical testing and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Macroscopical study of the rhizome revealed that it
is napiform, smooth with membranous peeling leaving a white surface. It has initially sweet and then intensely bitter taste.
Transverse section showed presence of simple and compound starch grains. The total ash value of 3.695% and sulphated ash
value of 4.17% was obtained. Loss on drying showed presence of 3.89% of moisture content. While performing the
successive solvent extraction, the maximum extractive value of 25.7% was seen in aqueous extract. When exposed to UV
light ethyl acetate extract, methanol and aqueous extract showed green fluorescence. Preliminary phytochemical studies
show the presence of carbohydrates, flavanoids, alkaloids, mucilages, proteins and amino acids. Performing TLC of
methanolic extract using methanol: chloroform (3:17) as solvent system, three alkaloids were identified. The study helps in
the correct identification of the herb. The presence of alkaloids and flavanoids explains that the plant must have valuable
medicinal properties which must be explored.
Key words: Corallocarpus epigaeus, Macroscopical studies, Phytochemical screening, Simple and compound starch grains.
1. INTRODUCTION
Herbal medicine is the oldest and still the most widely
used system of medicine in the world today. They are made
exclusively from plants. Herbal medicines have several
advantages which are also very well researched. If we pool
the knowledge from diverse traditions, we have a cure for just
above every illness known to man. In order to quench the
thirst for a new drug for an ailment from herbal origin the
plant Corallocarpus epigaeus has been chosen. Ethno
medical information suggests that the root and rhizome parts
are used as laxative and antihelminthic. Powder of root and
rhizome is used for treating syphilitic rheumatism, veneral
*Corresponding Author. Tel: +91 44 32546162, Fax: +91 44 23821272
Email: nisha_5585_sri@yahoo.co.in
C. Nisha Shri et al., Int J Pharm Biomed Res 2010, 1(1), 24-27
a)
b)
25
c)
C. Nisha Shri et al., Int J Pharm Biomed Res 2010, 1(1), 24-27
Fig.3. Starch grains distribution in the tuber under polarized light microscope.
SG-Starch grains, VE- Vessel Elements, SSG- Simple Starch grains, CSG-Compound starch grains
a)
b)
Fig.5. Crystals and Starch grains distribution in root under polarized light microscope.
Pe-Periderm, Co-Cortex, Cr-Crystals, SG-Starch grains, SC-Sclereids
26
C. Nisha Shri et al., Int J Pharm Biomed Res 2010, 1(1), 24-27
Table 1
Ash values, moisture content and extractive values of root and rhizome of
Corallocarpus epigaeus
S. No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Constants
Total ash
Acid insoluble ash
Water soluble ash
Sulphated ash
Loss on drying
Alcohol soluble extractive
Water soluble extractive
Values (%)
3.695
0.24495
0.8933
4.17
3.89
2.704
20.776
Table 2
Solvent extractive values of root and rhizome of Corallocarpus epigaeus
S. No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Solvent extracts
Petroleum ether extract
Ethyl acetate extract
Chloroform extract
Alcohol extract
Aqueous extract
Values (%)
0.825
1.0241
1.1110
3.826
25.7
Table 3
Fluorescence characteristics of different extracts of root and rhizome of
Corallocarpus epigaeus
S. No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Extracts
Petroleum ether extract
Ethyl acetate extract
Chloroform extract
Alcohol extract
Aqueous extract
Day light
Yellow
Yellow
Pale yellow
Reddish brown
Pale yellow
UV light
Green
Green fluorescence
Green
Green fluorescence
Green fluorescence
Table 4
Preliminary phytochemical screening of various root and rhizome extracts of
Corallocarpus epigaeus
Constituents
Petroleum
ether
extract
Ethyl
acetate
extract
+
+
Chloroform Alcohol
extract
extract
Carbohydrates
Alkaloids
+
Proteins & amino
acids
Saponins
Tannins &
phenolic
compounds
Phytosterols
Fixed oils
Glycosides
Flavanoids
+
Gums & mucilage
Aqueous
extract
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
27
Table 5
Rf values of solutes separated from the various extracts of root and rhizome
of Corallocarpus epigaeus
Solvent system
Extracts
Chloroform: Diethyl
amine (9:1)
Methanol: Ammonia
(200:3)
Methanol: Chloroform
(3:17)
Number
of spots
1
3
-
Rf value
0.84
0.69, 0.80, 0.90
-