Pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and phytochemical evaluation of curcuma longa and Santalum album for authentication and standardization

Medicinal plants have been extensively employed in traditional systems of medicine, and their quality assurance through pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation is essential for therapeutic efficacy and safety. Curcuma longa (turmeric) and Santalum album (sandalwood) are well-known medicinal plants valued for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. The present study aimed to perform a comprehensive pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and phytochemical screening of Curcuma longa and Santalum album to establish diagnostic standards and evaluate their phytoconstituent profiles. Macroscopic and microscopic characteristics were observed for both crude drugs. Physicochemical parameters such as loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, water-soluble ash, and extractive values were determined following standard protocols. Successive Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol, and water was performed, and percentage yields were calculated. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out for the detection of major phytoconstituents. Curcuma longa exhibited higher extractive yields in ethanol (18.20% w/w) and a richer phytoconstituent profile in ethanolic and aqueous extracts, including alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and phenolic compounds. Santalum album also showed maximum yield in ethanol (14.50% w/w) with significant amounts of steroids, tannins, flavonoids, and fixed oils in petroleum ether and chloroform extracts. The study successfully established pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and phytochemical standards for Curcuma longa and Santalum album, confirming their medicinal authenticity and supporting their continued therapeutic use in traditional medicine.