Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacognosy, P. R. Pote Patil College of Pharmacy, Kathora road, Amravati – 444604, Maharashtra, INDIA.
Context: Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae) is a well-known plant for its Abortifacient, Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-diarrheal, Anthelmintics, and Antitumor activity. Aims: To study pharmacognostical, physicochemical and phytochemical investigation of roots of this plant. Methods: Pharmacognostical study included the macroscopic characters like size, color, surface characteristics, texture, fracture characteristics and odor of the roots. Physicochemical parameter like extractive values, loss on drying (LOD), total ash, water-soluble and acid insoluble ash of Moringa oleifera root powder were determined as per WHO guidelines. Preliminary phytochemical screening and qualitative chemical examination by TLC studies have been carried out for the various phytoconstituents. Results: Chemical evaluation and TLC studies shown presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, saponins and tannins. The microscopic characters have shown presence of cork, xylem vessels, calcium oxalate crystals and phloem fibers. Conclusions: Pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical screening of Moringa oleifera roots will be useful in order to authenticate, standardize and avoid any adulteration in the raw material. The diagnostic microscopic characters and physicochemical data will be helpful in the development of a monograph.
Pankaj H. Chaudhary, Pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies on roots of Moringa oleifera Lam., Int. J. in Pharm. Sci., 2023, Vol 1, Issue 8, 9-17. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8206406
10.5281/zenodo.8206406
