INVESTIGATION OF THE PHARMACOGNOSY AS WELL AS THE ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY POTENTIAL OF THE KATHA POWDER

Objective: To investigate the Pharmacognosy as well as the Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory potential of the Katha powder. Methods: The Coarsely dried chips of Acacia catechu heartwood were treated with 10% hydro-alcoholic solution to obtain Katha as the final product. The powdered Katha was standardized via pharmacognostic parameters. This Kathapower is showing good solubility in hot water, having astringent in the taste. The powder microscopy of the Katha powder is to be demonstrated fragments of acicular crystals, fibers and bordered pitted vessels. Katha powder antioxidant potential is to be accessed by using the DPPH assay and NO Scavenging assay by using ascorbic acid as a standard drug. Further, the Katha powder is to be subjected for the assessment of its anti-inflammatory potential by use of Heat-induced hemolysis as well as the Hypotonicity-induced hemolysis approach by the use of aspirin or diclofenac sodium as a standard drug. Results: Microscopical investigations were showed that Katha showing the presence of fragments of acicular crystals, fibers, and bordered pitted vessels. In-vitro study shows that the Katha powder has excellent antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory potential in a dose-dependent manner in comparison to the result of the heartwood of A. catechu. Conclusion: So from this investigation, it is to be suggested that the Katha powder is rich in the phenolic compound, and the experimentation study shows the drug is to possesses a good antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory property.