PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF TRICHOSANTHES CUCUMERINA VAR. CUCUMERINA LINN. LEAVES
HTML Full TextPHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF TRICHOSANTHES CUCUMERINA VAR. CUCUMERINA LINN. LEAVES
M. M. Shabna * 1 and P. S. Shiji Kumar 2
National College of Pharmacy 1, Mukkom - 673602, Kerala, India.
Jamia Salafiya Pharmacy College 2, Pulikkal, Malappuram - 673637, Kerala, India.
ABSTRACT: Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina Linn. is an annual monoecious climber. Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina Linn. mainly distributed in Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Malaysia, and Australia. Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina is a wild variant (Cucurbitaceae) the major active components are triterpenoids, saponins, and cucurbitacins; chemical constituents like flavonoids, carotenoids and phenolic acids are also present. Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina is used in the treatment of headache, alopecia, fever, abdominal tumors, bilious, boils, acute colic, diarrhea, haematuria, and skin allergy, etc. Trichosanthes cucumerina is used as an abortifacient, vermifuge, refrigerant, purgative, malaria, laxative, hem agglutinant, emetic, cathartic, bronchitis and anthelmintic. The present study involves the pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies of the plant. The transverse section was taken for the microscopical studies. Powder microscopy shows the presence of annular, spiral, cylindrical, tubular and thick-walled xylem vessels. Different physicochemical evaluation ash value, extractive value, fluorescence analysis, etc, were performed. Phytochemical evaluation is performed for the ethanolic extract of leaves presence of alkaloids; flavanoids, glycosides, phenols, etc. are confirmed.
Keywords: |
Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina L., Microscopy, Physicochemical evaluation, Fluorescence analysis, Phytochemical evaluation
INTRODUCTION: Plants plays an important role in the maintenance and support of other biological life. Plants also have a vital role in the treatment of diseases. Pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of plants is important for their identification among other species or verities. Trichosanthes species are coming under the family Cucurbitaceae. There are about 110 genera and 640 species in the Cucurbitaceae family.
The main genera include Cucurbita, Cucumis, Ecballium, Citrullus, Luffa, Bryonia, Momordica, Trichosanthes, etc. 1 Trichosanthes species are rich in chemical components like flavonoids, carotenoids, lignin, glycosides, tannins, alkaloids, phenols, and terpenoids. Trichosanthes cucumerina Linn. (Cucurbitaceae) is an annual monoecious climber 2. Trichosanthes cucumerina mainly distributed in Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Burma, Malaysia, and Australia.
It has two varieties Trichosanthes cucumerina var. anguina L. which is cultivated and used as a vegetable and the second one is Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina L. which is a wild variant with short fruits. There are more than 16 marketed herbal formulations are available which contains T. cucumerina var. cucumerina L. as major ingredient 3. Trichosanthes cucumerina is used as antioxidant 4, 13, hepatoprotective 5, 6, gastro-protective 7, 13, anti-inflammatory 8, anti-bacterial 9, 10, 11, 12. Analgesic 13, anti-diabetic 14, diuretic, anthelmintic 15, anti-fertility 16, 17. Externally, the leaf juice is rubbed over the liver to relieve liver congestion and used as cathartic and for the treatment of indigestion, bilious fevers, boils, sores, skin eruptions such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, ulcers and in malaria 18.
Plant Profile:
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Viridaeplantae
Division: Tracheophyta
Subdivision: Spermatophytina
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Cucurbitales
Family: Cucurbitaceae
Genus: Trichosanthes
Species: cucumerina
Common Name: Snake gourd, Tomato gourd, Kattupadavalam, Padval
Useful Parts: Leaves, fruits, roots, etc.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Collection and Authentication: Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina L. was collected from Kondotty, Malappuram district in Kerala. The plant material collected from September to December. Authentication carried out by A. K. Pradeep, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, University of Calicut and the voucher specimen number CU 86996, has been submitted in the Calicut University Herbarium, University of Calicut.
Macroscopic Studies: Macroscopic observation of the plant was done. The shape, size, surface characters, texture, color, odor, taste, etc. were noticed and recorded.
Microscopic Studies: Microscopic studies of the plant were carried out in fresh leaves of Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina L. Plant sectioning is done in the midrib region of the leaf. The transverse section is taken by the freehand method. Thin sections are collected and treated with phloroglucinol and hydrochloric acid in 1:1 ratio for the staining of the section. Stained sections were mounted in grease free glass slide by using glycerine and observed under a microscope.
Powder Microscopy: Dried leaves are powdered to get fine particles. Fine powder treated with phloroglucinol and hydrochloric acid in equal amount. Stained powder sample mounted with glycerine and covered with a coverslip in a grease-free microscopic slide with the help of a needle.
Determination of Leaf Constants: Leaf constants includes stomatal number, stomatal index, vein islet number, and vein termination number. Leaf constant studies are carried out in the leaves by means of pealing the epidermal layer and mounted with glycerine. The study is carried out with the help of camera Lucida 19.
Determination of Physicochemical Properties:
Determination of Moisture Content: Moisture content determination carried out by means of loss on drying method.
Determination of Ash Values: Total ash value consists of physiological ash which is derived from the plant tissue itself and non-physiological ash derived from the adhering material in the plant surface. Accurately weighted 2.5 gm of dried leaves were placed in a crucible. The leaves spread as a layer and ignited to get constant weight by gradually increasing the heat to 500-600 °C using a muffle furnace.
Acid-insoluble ash indicates the contamination with earth and sand material. 2M HCl (25 ml) was added to a beaker containing the total ash, covered with a watch glass and boiled gently for 5 min. The acid insoluble ash was collected on an ashless filter paper and washed with hot water until the filtrate was neutral. The filter paper containing the acid insoluble ash was transferred into the original crucible and ignited to get constant weight. Water soluble ash is the water-soluble portion of the ash. 25 ml of water added into a beaker containing the total ash and boiled for 5 min. The water-insoluble matter was collected on an ashless filter paper and washed with hot water. The filter paper containing the water-insoluble matter was transferred into the original crucible and ignited to get a constant weight. Weight of this residue was subtracted from the weight of total ash, and the content of water-soluble ash calculated.
Determination of Extractive Values: Alcohol-soluble extractive value amount of plant compounds which get solubilized in ethanol by keeping powdered plant material for 24 h. Water-soluble extractive value percentage of plant compounds which are solubilized in water is calculated by keeping plant material in chloroform-water (5% chloroform in distilled water).
Determination of Fluorescence Analysis: Powdered leaves are observed under visible light, ultraviolet radiation short wavelength and long wavelength after treatment with various reagents.
Pre-liminary Phytochemical Screening: Pre-liminary phytochemical screening is carried out with the ethanolic extract of leaves of Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina Linn. Various chemical tests were performed for the identification of alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, carotenoids, etc.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:
Macroscopic Studies: Plant is perennial climbing. Flowers are monoecious, axillary; white male flowers occur in racemes with panicles. The female flowers are solitary.
Leaves are alternate, simple, hairy, 7-15 cm length and 10-15 cm in width. 5-7 lobed, the base is broadly heart shaped. Fruits are cylindrical with the waxy surface, slender and tapering. 5-7 cm in length and 2-3 cm in diameter. The fruits are bitter and used as an emetic. Roots are tuberous with the long and thick tap root system. The thickness of the root is due to the storage of food and water.
Microscopic Studies:
Transverse Section of Leaf: Leaves are dorsiventral.
Lamina: Upper epidermal cells are single layered rectangular cells. Covered with cuticle and contains numerous covering trichomes. The covering trichomes are uniseriate, multi-cellular (3-4 celled) with a stalk and base and having blunt tips.
Mesophyll: Mesophyll is divided into palisade and spongy parenchyma. Palisade cells are elongated and single layered and compactly arranged which discontinued over midrib. Spongy parenchyma consists of loosely arranged parenchymatous cells of 4-5 layers. Vascular elements are arranged in 3-4 layer. The lower layer is single-layered with rectangular epidermal cells. Trichomes also present in this layer
Midrib: Dorsal surface is strongly convex and epidermal layer is continuous in lamina and midrib region. Epidermal layer present in both lower and upper epidermis. Arch shaped vascular bundles and are bicollateral (xylem cells covered with phloem cells in both sides) in nature. 4-6 layers of collenchyma cells are present below the upper epidermis and above the lower epidermis.
Powder Microscopy:
Xylem Vessels: Annular, spiral, cylindrical, tubular and thick walled.
Stomata: Anomocytic stomata
Trichomes: Uniseriate, multi-cellular, straight and having a blunt tip.
Calcium Oxalate Crystals: In the form of square-shaped prismatic crystals.
Phloem fibers: Are lignified.
Determination of Leaf Constants:
Stomatal number: The average number of stomata per square mm of the epidermis of the leaf is termed as a stomatal number. The ratio of a number of stomata to the total number of epidermal cells in a given area of epidermis is fairly constant for any age of the plant under different climate condition.
Stomatal Index: Percentage of a number of stomata formed to the total number of epidermal cell. Stomatal index calculated by the following equation:
SI = S / S+E
SI - Stomatal index; S - Number of stomata per unit area 18 and E - Number of epidermal cell in same unit area 84.
TABLE 1: DETERMINATION OF LEAF CONSTITUENTS
Parameter | Value |
Stomatal number | 72 |
Stomatal index | 17.64 |
Determination of Physicochemical Properties:
Determination of Loss on Drying: Moisture content of dried leaves of Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina Linn. was found to be 13.5 ± 0.08.
Determination of Ash Values:
TABLE 2: ASH VALUES OF T. CUCUMERINA VAR. CUCUMERINA L. LEAVES
Ash values | Percentage % |
Total ash value | 24 ± 0.09 |
Acid insoluble ash values | 21 ± 0.05 |
Water soluble ash values | 7 ± 0.067 |
Determination of Extractive Values:
TABLE 3: EXTRACTIVE VALUES OF T. CUCUMERINA VAR. CUCUMERINA L. LEAVES
Extract | Percentage % |
Water soluble extractive value | 28 ± 0.07 |
Alcohol soluble extractive value | 40.40 ± 0.06 |
Fluorescence Analysis: Fluorescence analysis of leaves of Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina L. was carried out with various reagents.
TABLE 4: FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS
S. no | Drug + Reagent | Day light | 250-270 nm | 360-390 nm |
1 | Powder as such | Green | Dark green | Black |
2 | 50% Sulphuric acid | Dark green | Dark green | Black |
3 | Con. Hydrochloric acid | Green Light | Green | Black |
4 | 50% Hydrochloric acid | Green | Green | Black |
5 | 10% Sodium hydroxide | Light green | Light green | Black |
6 | Con. Nitric acid | Orange | Green | Black |
7 | 5% Ferric chloride | Green | Light green | Black |
8 | Acetic acid | Olive green | Dark green | Black |
9 | Water | Green | Light green | Black |
TABLE 5: PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING
S. no. | Phytoconstituents | Total ethanolic extract |
1 Alkaloids | ||
a) | Dragendroff's reagent | + |
b) | Mayer's reagent | + |
c) | Hager's reagent | + |
d) | Wagner's reagent | + |
e) | Tannic acid | + |
f) | Ferric chloride | + |
2 Glycosides | ||
a) | Legal's test | - |
b) | Raymond's test | - |
c) | Keller killiani test | - |
d) | Bromine water test | + |
e) | Con. sulphuric acid test | + |
f) | Molisch's test | + |
3 Phenols | ||
a) | Ferric chloride test | + |
b) | Lead acetate test | + |
4 Flavonoids | ||
a) | Aqueous sodium hydroxide test | + |
b) | Shinoda test | + |
c)
d) |
Lead acetate test
Ferric chloride test |
+
+ |
e) | Zinc -the hydrochloric acid test | + |
5 Carbohydrates | ||
a) | Molisch's test | + |
b) | Benedict's test | + |
c) | Fehling's test | + |
d) | Barfoed's test | + |
6 Tannins | ||
a) | Ferric chloride test | + |
b) | Gelatine test | + |
c) | Lead acetate test | + |
d) | Alkaline reagent test | + |
7 Steroids | ||
a) | Lieberman- bur chard test | + |
b) | Salkowaski test | + |
8 Saponins | ||
a) | Foam or forth test | - |
9 Lignin | ||
a) | Labatt test | + |
10 Fat and oils | ||
a) | Stain test | + |
b) | Saponification test | + |
11 Quinones | ||
a) | Alcoholic KOH test | - |
12 Proteins | ||
a) | Millions test | - |
b) | Xanthoprotein test | - |
Extraction of Leaves: 100 gm of coarsely powdered leaves of Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina L. was subjected to continuous hot extraction in Soxhlet apparatus by using ethanol. After completion of the extraction the extract obtained was concentrated under vacuum by using rotary vacuum evaporator.
Preliminary Phytochemical Screening: Pre-liminary phytochemical screening performed with ethanolic extract of Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina Linn.
CONCLUSION: Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina L. which is a wild variant with short fruits of the plant Trichosanthes cucumerina under the family Cucurbitaceae. The present work is carried out on the macroscopic, microscopic and phytochemical evaluation of the plant. Pharma-cognostical studies on the plant are useful for the identification of the plant from the closely related species and authentication of the plant for the effective use of the plant for the formulation of a pharmaceutical product.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Nil
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Nil
REFERENCES:
- Khare CP: Encyclopaedia of Indian medicinal plants. Springer Science Business Media 2007.
- Arawwawala M, Thabrew I and Arambewela L: Evaluation of the toxic potential of standardized extracts (hot water extract and cold ethanolic extract) of Trichosanthes cucumerina aerial parts. Boletín Latinoamericano y del Caribe de Plantas Medicinales y Aromáticas 2011; 10(1): 11-22.
- Devendra NK, Rajanna L, Sheetal C and Seetharam YN: In-vitro clonal propagation of Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina. Plant Tissue Cult and Biotech 2008; 18(2): 103-111.
- Palanisamy V, Shanmugam S and Balakrishnan S: Phytochemical and in-vitro antioxidant activity of Trichosanthes cucurmena American-Eurasian Journal of Toxicological Sciences 2014; 6(4): 120-122.
- Kumar SS, Kumar RB and Mohan KG: Hepatoprotective effect of Trichosanthes cucumerina Var cucumerina L. on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2009; 123(2): 347-50.
- Kumar SS, Kumar RB and Mohan KG: Antihepatotoxic activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina on carbon tetra chloride-induced liver damage in rats. Pharmacologyonline 2007; 3: 461-469.
- Palanisamy V, Shanmugam S and Balakrishnan S: Gastroprotective activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina Int J Pharm Sci Rev Res 2015; 31(2): 76-79.
- Deshpande DKR and Seetharam YN: Anti-inflammatory activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina seeds. Pharmacologyonline 2010; 2: 172-176.
- Rudroju S, Gudikandula K, Talari S and Nanna RS: Antibacterial activity of different extracts of Trichosanthes cucumerina an endangered ethnomedicinal herb. IJPSR 2016; 7(3): 1093-1102.
- Arawwawala LDAM, Thabrew MI, Arambewela LSR, Fernando N and Guruge LD: Antibacterial Activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina extracts. International Journal of Pharma-ceutical and Biological Archives 2011; 2(2): 808-812.
- Kage DN, Seetharam YN and Malashetty VB: In-vitro antibacterial property and phytochemical profile of Trichosanthes cucumerina Var. cucumerina. Advances in Natural and Applied Sciences 2009; 3(3): 438-441.
- Reddy LJ, Jose B, Anjana JC and Ruveena TN: Evaluation of antibacterial activity of cucumerina L. and Cassia didymobotrya Fres. leaves. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences 2010; 2(S-4).
- Gill NS, Marwah N, Arora R and Bali M: Study of anti-oxidant, analgesic and antiulcer potential of Trichosanthes cucumerina ethanolic seeds extract. Asian Journal of Plant Sciences 2012; 11(5): 235-240.
- Arawwawala M, Thabrew I and Arambewela L: Anti-diabetic activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Int J Biol Chem Sci 2009; 3(2): 287-296.
- Murthy JR, Nataraj P and Meera R: Phytochemical investigation, diuretic activity and anthelmintic activity of Trichosanthes cucumerina International Journal of Institutional Pharmacy and Life Sciences 2012; 2(2).
- Kadrivel D, Shaik A, Shaik K and Kumar D: Evaluation of Anti-fertility activity of cucumerina fruit on female Wistar rats. An International Journal 2013; 1(9): 878-883.
- Kage DN, Malashetty VB, Seetharam YN, Suresh P and Patil SB: Effect of ethanol extract of whole plant of Trichosanthes cucumerina cucumerina Linn. on gonadotropins, ovarian follicular kinetics and estrous cycle for screening of anti-fertility activity in Albino rats. Int J Morphol 2009; 27(1): 173-182.
- Devendra NK, Attard EG, Raghunandan D and Seetharam YN: In-vitro production of cucurbitacins from T. cucumerina L. var. cucumerina. Advances in Life Sciences 2012; 2(4): 108-111.
- Kumar N, Singh S, Manvi and Gupta R: dioica Roxb.: An overview. Pharmacogn Rev 2012; 6(11): 61-67.
How to cite this article:
Shabna MM and Kumar PSS: Pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Trichosanthes cucumerina var. cucumerina Linn. leaves. Int J Pharmacognosy 2018; 5(7): 431-36. doi link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.5(7).431-36.
This Journal licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License.