Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical Investigations on Holoptelea integrifolia

Abstract: Various parts of Holoptelea integrifolia, a roadside plant, are indicated by Charaka Samhitha, Sushrutha Samhitha and other traditional systems for the treatment of inflammations, acid gastritis, dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, intestinal worms, vomiting, wounds, vitiligo, leprosy, filariasis, diabetes, haemorrhoids, dysmenorrhoea and rheumatism. The present study was aimed at harmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical investigations of H. integrifolia leaves and bark. The pharmacognostic investigations were carried out in terms of organoleptic, microscopic and physical parameters. The dried leaves and bark were subjected to successive Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. These solvent extracts were subjected to a preliminary phytochemical screening to detect the different chemical principles present viz., carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, steroids, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and phenolic compounds. The phytochemical analyses indicate that the plant contains carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, steroids, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and phenolics.