Pharmacobotanical, physicochemical and phytochemical characterisation of a rare salt-secreting mangrove Aegialitis rotundifolia Roxb., (Plumbaginaceae) leaves: A comprehensive pharmacognostical study

Aegialitis rotundifolia Roxb., is a small mangrove tree or shrub belonging to family Plumbaginaceae. The leaves of this species is traditionally used as an antidote for insect bites and treatment of pains but no scientific studies have been conducted on its pharmacognostical aspects. Thus the present study deals in detailed pharmacobotanical, physicochemical and phytochemical properties of Aegialitis rotundifolia leaves. Pharmacobotanical features were examined by macroscopic and microscopic analysis of both the fresh leaves and fine powder. Different physicochemical parameters were evaluated along with heavy metal and microbial analysis for investigating the purity profile of the plant material. Detailed phytochemical properties were analysed using preliminary phytochemical screening, high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis. Branched sclereids were observed along with several other botanical characters in leaves which could be used as anatomical markers. The results of the physicochemical parameters, heavy metal and microbial analysis hitherto obtained fall within the normal range and shall be useful in establishing quality parameters of the plant material. Qualitative analysis of n-hexane, chloroform and ethanol extracts using HPTLC showed good peak resolution and separation. Seven polyphenolic marker compounds were quantified using a rapid and accurate HPLC method. Further GC-MS analysis was performed in which most phyto-constituents detected belong to hydrocarbons and fatty acids. The above parameters are being reported for the first time and would provide valuable pharmacognostical information of this unexplored mangrove species and will also be significant towards establishing correct identification and quality standards.