Pharmacognostic Analysis of Stem Bark of Combretum albidum G. Don; An Unexplored Medicinal Plant

Traditional knowledge and ethno-botanical use of plants have been widely acknowledged all over the world. Certain tribal people of Chinnar, Idukki District of Kerala are using stem bark of Combretum albidum G.Don as an effective remedy for jaundice. The documentation of traditional knowledge from Chinnar area reveal that it is highly effective. So the validation and standardisation of stem bark of C. albidum was carried out to establish its macro- and microscopical standards, physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical investigation and TLC profiles to evaluate the characters of the plant. The stem bark is usually hard with longitudinal cracks, around 0.5 to 1 cm in thickness, internally bright yellow in colour, odourless and slightly bitter in taste. Detailed anatomy showed the presence of cork, cortex and secondary phloem embedded with elongated lignified phloem fibres. Histochemical studies revealed the presence of lignin, tannin, oil and starch grains. Physicochemical parameters like moisture content, total ash, alcohol and watersoluble extractive values were also evaluated. Preliminary phytochemical analysis indicated a high percentage of tannins, flavonoids and triterpenes and this may be one of the reasons behind the hepatoprotective activity of this plant. Well resolved TLC profiles were recorded in sequential extraction with petroleum ether, ethyl acetate and methanol. The above parameters, which are being reported for the first time in this plant, are significant towards establishing the pharmacognostic standards for future identification and authentication of genuine plant material used for Jaundice by Chinnar tribals of Kerala.