Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical Investigation of stem of Conocarpus lancifolius

Aims: To evaluate pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical analysis of stem of Conocarpus lancifolius including macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical parameters. Methods and Material: Macroscopic and microscopic properties of dried stem were investigated. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of various extracts and fluorescence analysis of dried stem powder was performed using various chemicals. Physicochemical parameters were evaluated as per WHO guidelines. Results: Organoleptic parameters of stem of C. lancifolius like colour, shape, size etc were noted.  Transverse section of fresh stem revealed the presence of epidermis, cortex, sone cells, phloem, xylem and pith. Whereas, powder microscopy showed the presence of epidermis, xylem, stone cells, phloem fibre with crystals of calcium oxalate etc. Phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of stem showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycoside, steroids etc. Ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of alkaloids and steroids while aqueous extract showed presence of tannins. Physicochemical parameters viz. ash value, extractive value, moisture content, fluorescence analysis and foaming index of stem powder were determined. The total tannins were also determined in the stem of C. lancifolius. Conclusion: The present study revealed pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical parameters of stem of C. lancifolius which would be beneficial for its standardization and future scope of the work