MORPHO-ANATOMICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF VITEX PINNATA LINN LEAVES
S. Thenmozhi* and U. Subasini
ABSTRACT
Vitex pinnata Linn. (Syn: Vitex pubescens Vahl.) is a moderately sized tree of tropical Asia belonging to the
family Verbenaceae. Vitex pinnata is the tree with trifoliate leaves, gray to brown bark. The leaves are potential as
antioxidant; because of flavonoids, alkaloids & terpenoids content. In Traditional medicine, the plant is used to
expel intestinal worms, as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, wound healing, anti-oxidant, antibacterial and
stomach ache. In Brunei, the young leaf shoots are eaten raw to treat hypertension and fever. A root-tea is taken
for backache, body ache and fatigue. The present study deals with the morphological and microscopic evaluation
of the leaf and powdered leaf material and establishment of the quality parameters including physicochemical
evaluation. The microscopical studies revealed the presence of mesophyll tissue, peltate type, capitate type of
glandular trichomes, non- glandular trichomes, reticulate venation pattern, anomocytic stomata and ground tissue,
etc,. Physicochemical evaluations showed Moisture content 5.1 ± 0.04%w/w, Foreign organic matter 6.8 ±
0.36%w/w, Total Ash 10.33 ± 0.16%w/w, Acid insoluble ash 1.33 ± 0.15%w/w, Water soluble Ash 2.03 ±
0.25%w/w, Sulphated Ash 3.0 ± 0.06%w/w, Alcohol soluble extractives 19.6 ± 0.26%w/w, Water soluble
extractives 28.8 ± 0.15%w/w respectively. The preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of
carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins, steroids, protein and amino acids.
The study which is helpful in the identification of authentic plant from other vitex species.
Keywords: Vitex pinnata Linn., Macroscopical evaluation, Microscopical characters, Physicochemical analysis, Phytochemical screening.
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