PHARMACOBOTANICAL, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF HIBISCUS PUNCTATUS DALZ. (MALVACEAE) LEAVES: A COMPREHENSIVE PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDY

Abstract

Systematic Study was carried out to determine pharmacognostic characteristics of Hibiscus punctatus Dalz. which is a plant species from Malvaceae family found in western ghats of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab region of India. In this study all macroscopic, microscopic as well as physicochemical parameters of Hibiscus punctatus Dalz. are determined as per WHO Guidelines. Transverse sections of leaves have shown the presence of Upper and Lower Epidermis, Collenchyma, Ground Tissues, Mesophyll, Trichomes and Sclerenchyma in it. Phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids and glycosides in ethanolic extracts of Hibiscus punctatus Dalz. leaves while the aqueous extracts have reflected the presence of carbohydrates, tannins, steroids and flavonoids in it. Physicochemical parameters such as ash value, extractive value, moisture content and fluorescent characteristics of leaf powder were also determined. In Present Study, we report the Pharmacognostic data and presence of flavonoids indicates high potential of this plant which is used as medicine for various diseases.