Research & Reviews: Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry
Menue-ISSN: 2321-6182 p-ISSN: 2347-2332
e-ISSN: 2321-6182 p-ISSN: 2347-2332
Shriniwas P. Patil1* and Subhash T. Kumbhar2
1Department of Pharmacognosy, SCES’s Indira College of Pharmacy, Pune-411 038, India
2Department of Pharmacology, SCES’s Indira College of Pharmacy, Pune- 411 038, India
Received Date: 02/04/2017; Accepted Date: 22/04/2018; Published Date: 26/04/2018
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India has variety of mega biodiversity hotspots like Kashmir valley, Gangetic plane, Semi-arid region, Deccan peninsula and hilly region of southern-western India, these regions have been found to be the habitat of various types of plants including the rare ones. Since long ago, it has been experienced that plants can be used to treat various illness in human being. Mainly, tribal people have this knowledge of various plants and their pharmacological applications. Considering the adverse effects of modern synthesized drugs, nowadays herbal medicines are gaining importance and attention for research. Several times, natural products were proved to be pharmacologically active or can be used as precursor for development of a series of new active drug molecules. One of such a rare plant is Alectra parasitica A. with existence in traditional medicine. Alectra parasitica A. Rich. var. chitrakutensis, (Scrophulariaceae) plant grows as parasite on roots of Vitex negundo L. (Verbenaceae) plant, found mainly in Chitrakut region of Uttar Pradesh, India. Traditionally, it has been claimed as crude drug for various illnesses like skin and infectious diseases, rheumatism, constipation, intestinal worms, fevers, swellings, paralysis. Present work describes its primary information related to morphology, microscopy and preliminary phytochemical analysis.
Alectra parasitica A. Rich. Morphology, Microscopy, Powdered characteristics
Considering the variety of flora and fauna found in mega biodiversity hotspots across the country, many rural communities particularly the tribal people depend upon these diversified number of plant species as natural crude drugs those can be used in treatment of various diseases and disorders [1]. Thereby, India is a geographic source of variety of rare medicinal plants traditionally used in treatment of various illness. Present research work consists of study of morphology and microscopy of rhizomes of one of such a rare plant, Alectra parasitica A. Rich. var. chitrakutensis.
Alectra parasitica A. Rich. var. chitrakutensis (Scrophulariaceae / Orobanchaceae) is a rare medicinal plant which grows as parasite on the roots of Vitex negundo L. (Verbenaceae) nirgundi plant, found particularly in Chitrakut region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, states of India [2,3]. This plant has also been reported from Bundi District of Rajasthan [4] and Akola District of Maharashtra [5].
The word ‘Alectra’ is derived from Greek phrase, alektros means ‘unwedded’; a ‘without’ and lektron ‘couch’ [6] while ‘parasitica’ stands for word parasite which means ‘depends upon other organism for nutrition’. It has been found mention in Ayurveda for treatment of leprosy, vitiligo, skin diseases, rheumatism, constipation, intestinal worms, fevers, swellings, paralysis and tuberculosis [7]. Its antibacterial potential evaluated against S. aureus, B. subtilis, E. coli, P. vulgaris, S. typhi, P. aeroginosa, S. pnemoniae while antifungal activity tested against A. niger and C. albicancs were also reported [8]. So far, only two phytocompounds, azafrin and mannitol have been reported to be present in Alectra parasitica A. Rich rhizomes [9]. So far, no report found discussing about detail morphology, microscopy, powdered characteristics and preliminary phytochemical analysis of Alectra parasitica A. Rich rhizomes.
Collection and pharmacognosy
The rhizomes were obtained from Chitrakut region of Uttar Pradesh, India (Figure 1). Plant material was rinsed under tap water and allowed to dry. Initially, detail morphology was studied in terms of organoleptic characters like size, shape, texture, color, odor, taste. Then, sample was studied microscopically to describe histological set up of tissues in rhizome via examining transverse section (TS) and characteristics of powdered rhizome. Transverse section and powder were stained with phloroglucinolcon. HCl (1:1) and observed under microscope.
Figure 1: Map of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh regions of India. Red circle indicated the location of Chitrakoot.
Extraction
About 10 gm of dried powder of rhizomes was successively with 100 ml of petroleum ether, acetone and methanol. Extracts were concentrated under reduced pressure using Rotary evaporator. Then, extracts were tested for presence of class of phytocompounds by simple chemical tests based on color change or precipitation as reported previously by Yadav et al. [10].
Morphology of rhizomes
Dried rhizome pieces were 2 to 4 cm long, 5 to 7 mm thick, cylindrical, irregularly bent having longitudinally striated rough surface, covered with closely apprised, protruding, thick, scaly scars, fracture short, dark brown or deep yellow in color (Figure 2), taste initially bitter latter producing tingling sensation on tongue, odor disagreeable.
Figure 2: Dried rhizomes of Alectra parasitica A. Rich with their aerial stems.
Microscopy of rhizomes
Detailed transverse section (TS) of rhizome shows a layer of outer epidermis embedded with dark brown pigment and covered with cuticle. The cells are uneven and irregular in thickening, cortex is narrow, parenchymatous, and the cells embedded with tannins, stellar tissue composed of a continuous ring of wedge shaped xylem vessels encircled by ill developed 2 to 3 rows of cambium and peripheral narrow phloem tissue. In between layers of cortex and vascular bundle, there is cluster of thick yellowish walled cells representing formation of haustorium on the host, Vitex negundo roots. Radially, there are thick walled uni- to multi seriate medullary rays in continuation with phloem. Pith is very wide, encircled by peri-medullary groups of parenchymatous, cells embedded with starch grains. Pith cell are polygonal (Figure 3A & 3B).
Figure 3A and 3B: Transverse section (TS) of Alectra parasitica A. Rich rhizomes stained with phloroglucinol- conc. HCl (1:1) and recorded at 10X magnification on compound microscope. A- Schematic diagram of TS. B- Detailed TS of Alectra parasitica A. Rich rhizomes observed. Ctcortex, e- epidermis, pi- pith and vb- vascular bundle.
Microscopic characteristics of powder
Microscopic features of powder were found as angular, thin walled cells of epidermis in surface view, embedded with brown pigment; xylem vessels with reticulate, spiral and with pitted thickening, pith cells lignified and with pitted wall, trichomes and occasional stomata from aerial stem part, simple and compound starch grains, tannin cells from cortex (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Powder microscopy of Alectra parasitica A. Rich. rhizomes. a- polygonal epidermal cells covered with thick cuticle. b- long fiber. c fragment of cortex with brownish matter. d- parenchymatous cells of pith attached to phloem. e- tapering end of fragment of fiber. f- fragments of sieve tube. g- lignified spiral xylem fragment. h- fragment of lignified phloem.
Preliminary phytochemical screening
Light brown colored petroleum ether and acetone extracts showed presence of terpenes and carotenoids. Depending upon polarity of phytochemicals present in powdered material, brownish methanolic extract showed presence of carbohydrates, polyphenolics and triterpenoids.
In present research attempt, we procured the rhizomes of a very rare plant, Alectra parasitica A. Rich. from Chitrakut region of Uttar Pradesh. Its transverse section and powdered characteristics were studied thoroughly, and preliminary phytochemical testing was performed to determine the type of Phyto-compounds present in it.
Authors are thankful to Dr. Ashok Tiwari, Chitrakut, India for providing the plant material. We are also grateful to Dr. (Mrs.) Anagha M. Joshi, Principal, SCES’s Indira College of Pharmacy, Pune, India for providing laboratory facility for this research work.