PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF COUROUPITA GUIANENSIS ABUL LEAVES
Couroupita guianensis Aubl. belong to family Lecythidaceae and commonly known as cannon ball tree, is a soft-wooded, deciduous tropical tree of the Brazil nut family that typically matures to 50- 75?? (infrequently to 100?? ) tall. Traditionally, it widely used for its medicinal properties and also extensively in research for its pharmacological properties. Aim - In present investigation, the detailed pharmacognostic study of Couroupita guianensis leaf is carried out to lay down the standards which could be useful in future experimental studies. The study includes macroscopy, microscopy, preliminary phytochemical screening, estimation of phytoconstituents and physicochemical evaluation of Couroupita guianensis leaves. Materials and methods - The investigation on macroscopy, microscopy, physiochemical and phytochemical analysis were carried out using standard methods. Results - Macroscopically the leaves are simple, alternate dark green, glabrous, lanceolate and having acute base and apex. The microscopical observation of leaf powder shows warty trichomes, glandular trichomes, lower epidermis with anamocytic stomata, spiral vessel, bordered pitted vessel, crystal fiber, clusters of crystals and starch grains. Phsysicochemical parameters such as foreign matter, loss on drying, extractive values and ash values were estimated. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, sterols, flavonoids, proteins, aminoacids, terpenoids, triterpenoids and tannins. Total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and total tannin content present in HAECGL were found to be 84.69 mg/g (gallic acid equivalent), 58.77 mg/g (quercetin equivalent) and 65 mg/g (tannic acid equivalent) respectively. Conclusion - The study's findings can be a useful source of knowledge and give appropriate standards for identifying this plant material in future research and applications