Pharmacognostic Studies on Christia obcordata (Poir.) Bakh. f. and Christia vespertilionis (L.f.) Bakh. f

Abstract

Knowledge of pharmacognostic standardisation is crucial in the field of herbal research. Christia obcordata (Poir.) Bakh.f. and Christia vespertilionis (L.f.) Bakh.f., commonly known as ‘butterfly wing’ are ornamental plants belonging to the family Fabacae. Christia vespertilionis is believed as a promising anti-cancer agent and is consumed by the old folks of Malaysia in the form of decoction. Moreover, these plants have also been used to treat bronchitis, urinary blockage, and improve blood circulation. Despite the listed medicinal properties, there is no evidence in literature of the pharmacognostic standardization on the aerial parts of these plants.Hence, the current study will evaluate the pharmacognostic standardization parameters on the aerial parts of Christia obcordata (Poir.) Bakh.f. and Christia vespertilionis (L.f.) Bakh.f. Standardisation of these plants was carried out using macroscopic studies, microscopic studies, physicochemical parameters, and phytochemical investigation. Macroscopic showed both plants have similar characteristics in the followings, shape, phyllo taxis, margin-entire, leaf type, and powder microscopy results showed the upper cuticle, upper epidermis, palisade cells, vascular bundle, spongy mesophyll, phloem fibers, sclerenchyma, xylem vessels, collenchyma, sclerenchyma, lower epidermis, lower cuticle, parenchyma, stomatal index, vein number, vein islet, and palisade cells are studied as important key differentiating features on the selected plants. Phytochemical screening on the aerial part extracts presence of steroid, flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid, and carbohydrate on both plants. Fluorescence analysis was carried out individually on the four different extracts and was examined under daylight and U.V light at a wavelength of 254nm and 365nm. To conclude, based on this research finding, the study can be a standardization tool for these plants, providing ease in identifying and determining the purity and quality of the investigated plant.