Volume 3

October-December 2011

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Heliotropium indicum L. Stem

Ashutosh Meher, Sanjaya Kumar Panda, Anuj Kumar Agrahari, Amiya Ranjan Pradhan, Ranjan Bhoi

Abstract:
The plant Heliotropium indicum L. commonly known as “Hatisundha” in Oriya belongs to family Boraginaceae, a small fragrant evergreen annual herb. The plant is medicinnaly important which is used to cure various diseases like fever, inflammation, wound, tumour and flatulence in Indian traditional system of medicine. Pharmacognostical investigation of fresh, powdered and anatomical section of stem was carried out to determine its macromorphological, micromorphological and chemomicromorphological profiles. Phytochemical evaluation indicated the preparation of extract and preliminary phytochemical screning carried out for identification of alkaloids, glycosides and carbohydrates, saponins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, phytosterols. The result of the study can be useful in the identification of the drug and establishing pharmacopoeia standards.

Keywords: Hatisundha, Heliotropium indicum L., Boraginaceae, Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical Evaluation.