Pharmacognostic Evaluation and Phytochemical Screening of Stem Bark of Thespesia Populnea (L.) Sol. Ex Corrêa

Abstract Thespesia populnea is large, fast growing, evergreen, shrubby, perennial tree belongs to family Malvaceae. Is a big avenue tree with pantropical distribution located in the steamy regions, tropical regions and in india’s coastal forest region. It is widely cultivated in gardens and various agroforestry systems due to its versatile uses. Occasionally, these trees are planted along roadsides for ornamental and shade purposes (Naik, 1988). It often has a short, sometimes crooked trunk and develops a broad, dense crown. The bark is generally pale grey or brown, characterized by deep fissures and a knobby, fibrous texture; younger shoots are covered with peltate scales and ridges (Mika & Guruvayoorappan, 2013; Mallya Suma, 2018). The plant contains secondary metabolites like carbohydrates, tannins, alkaloids, Saponins, Iridoids Phenols and Coumarin. The aim of the present research work is, to develop and standardize different phytochemical analysis for the evaluation of stem bark extract of medicinal plant. The objective of present work is to evaluate various quality control parameters were to lay down pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical standards. In this study, the stem bark of titled plant was subjected to microscopic characterization, followed by the preliminary physicochemical and phytochemical evaluations. The microscopic characters of bark were studied by free hand sectioning method. The preliminary phytochemical analysis included dry matter, bulk density, total ash, reducing sugar, extractive values in different solvents, fibre content, fat content etc. The results obtained by using scientific parameters from this research work is used to authentication, identification and standardization of adulteration found in the bark drug.