Pharmacognostic studies on Holostemma ada-kodien Schult. root tuber

Abstract

The present work was carried out on the pharmacognostic characters, phytochemical localization and analysis of metabolites in Holostemma ada-kodien Schult. root tuber. Physicochemical parameters such as swelling and foaming indices were used for identifying the adulterants in the powdered samples. Microscopic observations of root tuber showed the presence of prismatic crystals, lignified wall, compound starch grains with centrally located hilum and the ‘Maltese cross’ as the characteristic features of the powdered sample. Metabolites such as starch, proteins, lipids, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins and phenols in fresh root tuber gave clear demarcation of their localization in root tuber. The powdered root sample was extracted in soxhlet with various solvents such as petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, methanol and water and was screened for various phytochemicals.