EXPLORING THE MICRO-MORPHOLOGY, CHEMO-MICROSCOPY, ANALYTICAL STANDARDS AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE OF BARK OF IXORA ARBOREA ROXB., - AN TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL PLANT

Introduction: Ixora arborea Roxb., is a garden tree or evergreen shrub, belonging to the Rubiaceae family, which is acclaimed for its therapeutic qualities as mentioned in conventional medicine.Objective: Accurate identification and assessment are essential to avoid adulteration due to growing ethno-medicinal significance.Therefore, the purpose of the current study was aimed to explore the Pharmacognostical and physicochemical parameters; phytochemical screening of bark of Ixora arborea.Methods: Both the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the fresh and powdered bark were assessed.Physicochemical characteristics and the phytochemical profile of the ethanolic bark extract of Ixora arborea was screened using standard protocols outlined in WHO and Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India.Results: Microscopy of mature bark indicated the existence of exfoliating cork cells; cortex consists of parenchymatous cells, stone cells and lignified cortical fibers; phloem consists of starch grains, prismatic crystals, sclereids and lignified walls.The microscopical study of powder unveiled the presence of stone cells, cork cells, fiber bundle, styloid and prismatic crystals.Histochemical analysis revealed the presence of oil globules in phloem; mucilage, phenolic compounds, alkaloids and lignin in cortex.The preliminary phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids and triterpenoids.Total phenolic content and total