Ethnobotanical Leaflets 12: 1176-83. 2008.

 

 

Pharmacognostical and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies of Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer

 

Krishnaveni, A.1 and Santh Rani Thaakur2

 

1Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy,

Madurai Medical College, Madurai,Tamilnadu, India

E-mail: akrishnaveni72@rediffmail com

 2Deparment of Pharmacology, Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalayam,

(Women’s University), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India

 

Issued 15 December 2008 

 

 

ABSTRACT

            Pharmacognostical parameters for the leaves of Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer were studied with the aim of drawing the pharmacopoeial standards for this species. Macroscopical and microscopical characters, physio-chemical constants, quantitative microscopy parameters, extractive values with different solvents, fluorescence analysis of dry powder, its reaction after treatment with chemical reagents under visible light and UVlight at 254 nm and 366 nm. Preliminary phyto chemical screening on the leaves of Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer were studied .The determination of these characters will help future researchers in their Phytochemical as well as Pharmacological analyses of this species.

Keywords: Argyreia nervosa, Convolvulaceae, pharmacognostic, phytochemical.

INTRODUCTION

            Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer (Convolvulaceae) is a climbing shrub with woody tomentose stem,found mainly in Deccan,Karntaka and East slopes of the West Ghats at an altitude of 900m1. It is commonly known as Elephant creeper and in Samudra- sok Hindi2.Traditinally leaves used by Rajasthani tribes to prevent conception3. Seeds of Argyreia nervosa found to possess hypotension,spamolytic 4, and anti-inflammatory activity5. Chemical analysis revealed the presence of triterpenoids,flavanoids,steroids and lipids6. Roots of Argyreia nervosa proved the immunomodulatory activity against the myelosuppressive effects induced by Cyclophosphamide7. 24R-ergost-5- en-11-oxo-3 beta-ol alpha –D glucopyranoside xylose was isolated from seeds of Argyreia nervosa known as Argyreioside 8.

 

Table 1. Ethnomedical information of Argyreia nervosa Burm9.

Parts

Uses

Root

Appetitiser,anaemia,aphrodisiac,anti–inflammatory,brain-tonic,cardiotonic,cerebral disorders, diabetes,expectorant,obesity,syphilius, tuberculosis , ulcers and wounds.

Stem bark

No report available

Fruit

No report available

Seed

No report available

Leaves

Prevents conception, antiphlogistic

Flowers

No report available

 

            But no pharmacognostical work has been done so far. Therefore, an attempt has been made to study the Pharmacognostic parameters on the leaves of Argyreia nervosa in both whole form and powdered form.

 

Table 2. Macroscopy of Argyreia nervosa (Burm. f.) Bojer.

Parts

Observation

Bark

Woody tomentose

Flowers

pink

Fruit

Fresh /globular

Seed

Black

Leaves

15-22 cm.

Appearance

Silky & tomentose /glabrous beneath

Shape

Cordate

Length/height

7. 5 -18 by 2.5-10 cm.

Apex/base

Acute /cordate.

Petiole

petioled

Surface

Glabrous

Arrangement

alternate

Venation

Reticulately Pinnate

 

Materials and Methods

Plant material

          The plant material was collected from the foothills of Tirumlahills, Tiruapthi.A.P.in the month June 2007.The plant was identified and authenticated by Dr.Madhav Shetty, Taxnomist,Dept of Botany, S.V. University, Tiruapthi. A herbarium was preserved in the department for further reference. The leaves were separated, dried, coarsely powdered passed through sieve no 40 and stored in a closed container for further use. All reagents used were of analytical grade obtained from S.D. Fine Chemicals Ltd., Mumbai.

Methods

            The macroscopical characters (size, shape colour, odour, texture, venation margin, base, apex and petiole) of the leaves were observed10. Then, anatomical study, powder was identified with routine reagents to study the lignified cells, trichomes, stomata, fibres etc. Quantitative microscopy was determined by methods prescribed by Trease and Evans11.

            The ash values, extractive values with various reagents and were determined as per the Indian Pharmacopoeia12. The behaviour of powdered leaves with various chemical reagents was studied 13,14. The fluoroscence characters of the powder with various acids were observed under visible light and UV light as per the proceduere15. Measurement of vein islet number, vein termination number, stomatal number, stomatal index and length of trichome were determined. Extractive values were performed with various solvents like petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, alcohol and water was performed as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia16. Prelimnary phytochemical tests of the powder/extracts were performed using specific reagents through standard procedures17.

Results

 Analysis and Discussion

            Colour -green, odour - odourless, taste – slightly bitter , size 15-22cm in length, cordate in shape, tomentose-surface, acute-apex, base-cordate, entire-margin, paripinnate venation and petioled . The physical constants such as total ash value (4.3 %) acid insoluble ash (1.6%) water soluble ash (3.94%) which are specific identification for this species. The soluble extractive values respectively, which indicates the nature of constituents present. Quantitative microscopical study also give valuable information regarding specific leaf constants such as vein islet(10.2/mm2),vein termination number(12.6/mm2) stomatal number(4.5/mm2 and 16 /mm2) upper and lower epidermis respectively. Length of trichome(12.98µ--59.38 µ--101.9µ ) The behaviour of leaf powder upon treatment with different chemical reagents was also observed and reported in Table 6. Fluoroscence studies of powder with various reagents revealed the presence of green & orange fluoroscence with Conc. sulphuric acid and glacial acetic acid respectively under UV light at 254 nm and 366 nm. The powder microscopy revealed the presence of glandular &covering trichomes, xylem fibres, epidermal cells, cork cells, vessels with bordered pits,,xylem vessels with spiral thickenings were recorded.

Powder analysis of Argyreia nervosa Burm .

            It is a pale green, fine, odourless powder with slight bitter taste. The powder microscopy revealed the presence of glandular &covering trichomes, xylem fibres, epidermal cells, cork cells, vessels with bordered pits,xylem vessels with spiral thickenings were recorded. The various qualitative chemical tests (Table 7) have shown the presence of triterpenoids, saponins, sterols, flavanoids, carbohydrates phenols, tannins and in large amount whereas aromatic acids, gums and mucilage and volatile oils were totally absent in the leaf extract of this plant.

 

Table 3. Determination of Ash Values of Argyreia nervosa.

 

S. No.

Ash type

Percentage of Ash

1.

Total ash

4.3% w/w

2.

Acid insoluble ash

1.6% w/w

3.

Water soluble ash

3.94% w/w

 

Table 4. Determination of Extractive Values of Argyreia nervosa.

S. No.

Solvent

Percentage of extractive

1.

Petroleum ether

3.16% w/w

2.

Chlororform

0.8% w/w

3.

Ethyl acetate

 1.4% w/w

4.

Ethanol

0.2% w/w

5.

Water

7.6% w/w

 

Table 5. Determination of phyto constants of Argyreia nervosa.

Leaf constants

Report

Vein islet number

10.2/mm2

Vein termination number

12.6/mm2

Stomatal index (upper epidermis)

4.5/mm2

Stomatal index (lower epidermis)

16/mm2

 

            Similarly the fluroscence characterstic of the leaf powdered leaf, when treated with various chemical reagents and its extracts have also been extensively studied. The extractive values of the powder with different solvent was determined and its result was reported in table no: The various qualitative chemical tests have shown the presence of sterols, flavanoids, phenols, tannins and saponins in large amount whereas aromatic acids, carbohydrates, triterpenoids gums and mucilage and volatile oils were totally absent in the leaf extract of this plant.

 

Powder as such :

Colour  : Dark green.

Taste: Slightly bitter.

Odour: Characteristic .

 

Table 6.  Behavioural characterstics of powdered leaves of Argyreia nervosa with different chemical reagents.

S. No.

Particulars

Under Visible light

U.V. light

Short wavelength

Long wavelength

1.

Powder as such

Dull green

Dark green

-----

2.

Powdered drug + Conc. HCl

Dull green

Pale green

-----

 3.

Powdered drug + Conc. H2SO4

Dull green

Pale green

Green

4.

Powdered drug+ Conc. HNO3

Yellow

Dull green

-----

5.

Powdered drug+ Glacial Acetic acid

Dull green

Pale green

Orange

 

6.

Powdered drug+ Aqueous NaOH

Dark green

Dark green

-----

7.

Powdered drug + NaOH (Alcoholic)

Dark green

Dark green

-----

8

Powdered drug + 10%Hcl

Dull green

Dull brown

-----

 9.

Powdered drug + 10% H2SO4

Dull brown

-----

-----

 10.

Powdered drug + 10% HNO3

Dull green

Dark green

 -----

 11.

Powdered drug + 10% Glacial Acetic acid

Dark green

Dark green

 -----

12.

Powdered drug + Ferric chloride(Aqueous)

Dark green

Dark green

 -----

13.

Powdered drug + Ferric chloride(Alcoholic)

Dark green

Dark green

 -----

 

Table 7.  Preliminary phytochemical screening of Argyreia nervosa.

S. No.

Tests

Powder + Water

Ethanol extract

Water extract

1.

Alkaloids:

 

 

 

 

Dragendroff’s test

Mayer’s test

Hager’s test

Wagner’s test

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

2.

Carbohydrates:

Fehling’s test

Molish test

 

+ ve

+ ve

 

+ ve

+ ve

 

+ ve

+ ve

3.

Gums/Mucilage

 

 

 

 

Water

Alcohol

-ve

-ve

- ve

- ve

- ve

- ve

4.

Tannins:

 

 

 

 

Aq. FeCl3 Test

Alc. FeCl3 Test

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

 

5.

Flavonoids:

 

 

 

 

Lead acetate test

Shinoda test

Mg/Hcl

 

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

 

- ve

- ve

- ve

 

+ ve

+ve

+ ve

6.

Saponins:

 

 

 

 

Foam Test

Lead acetate test

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

 

- ve

+ ve

7.

Sterols:

 

 

 

 

Salowaski test

Libberman Burchad test

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

+ ve

 

References

 1.Gamble J.S. Flora of Madras. Botanical survey of India., Calcutta, volume II, 1956

 Reprint, 556.

 2.Warrier PK, Nambiar V.P.K and Ramankutty C. Indian Medicinal Plants of India.

 Orient Longman, Chennai .Volume I, I reprint, 1997 ,191- 193.

 3. The Wealth of India: Raw materials, VoI.I ( Publication and Information Directorate, CSIR, New Delhi) 1988, 87-88.

 4. Agarwal SR and Rastogi RP. Indian Journal of Pharmacology volume 35 , Sept-Oct,

 1974, 118-119.

5. Gokhale AB,Damre AS,Kulkarni KR. and Saraf MN Phtyomedicine 2002, July 9(5)

 433-437.

6. Srivatasav, Shukla Tau SP, Kumar .S Journal of Aromatic and Medicinal plants

 20(3),1998, 774-778.

7. Gokhale AB,Damre AS,Kulkarni KR. and Saraf MN Journal of Ethnopharmacolgy,

 Jan 2003, 84(1) 109-114.

8. Rahman Ali , Ali.M and Khan WZ Pharmazie 2003, Jan 58 (1), 60-62.

9. Nandkarni K M, Indian Materia Medica, Vol.I ( Popular Prakashan Pvt Ltd, Bombay) 1995, 182.

 

10. Wallis T E , Textbook of Pharmacognosy (CBS publishers and Distributors, Delhi ) 1985, 104 – 105.

 

11. Khandelwal K R , Kokate C K , Pawar A P and Gokhale S R, Practical

 

 Pharmacognosy Techniques and Experiments (Nirali Prakashan Publishers, Pune)1996,19.

 

12. Anonymous, The Indian Pharmacopoeia (Govt. of India publication, New Delhi) 1966, 947-950.

 

13. Wallis T E , Text Book of Pharmacognosy (CBS publishers and Distributors, Delhi ) 1989, 356 – 549.

14. Brain K R and Turner T D , The practical evaluation of phytopharmaceuticals, Wright-Scientechnia, 6 (1975), 81.

15. Kokoshi J, Kokoski R and Slama F J , Fluorescence analysis of powered vegetable drugs under ultraviolet radiation , J Am Pharm Assoc, 47 (1958), 75-77.

16. Harborne J B , Phytochemical Methods, A Guide to Modern Techniques of Plant Analysis, (Chapman and Hall, London) 1973, 182-189.

17. Peach and Tracey M V. Modern Methods of Plant Analysis, Vol. III (Springer and Verlag, Berlin) 1955, 321-322.