PHYTO-PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS ON STEM BARK OF INDIGENOUS OROXYLUM INDICUM (L.) VENT. A FOLK MEDICINAL PLANT

Since times immemorial, medicinal plants have been used virtually in all cultures as a source of medicine. Oroxylum indicum Linn. commonly known as ―broken bones plant‖ is traditionally used as a medicine in Ayurveda and other folk system of medicine. Stem bark of the plant is commonly used as analgesic, antioxidant and treat inflammatory diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Presently, people’s interest towards plants based medicines or products has been increased worldwide which leads to the necessity of laboratory investigations of crude drugs or phytoconstituents for better and effective application in various systems of medicines. Present study is aimed to summarise the pharmacognostical profile of Oroxylum indicum (Linn.). This study comprises of preliminary phytochemical screening, examination of morphological and microscopic characters; determination of quality control parameters such as foreign matter, moisture content, ash values, extractive value and total sugar. The phytochemical screening of stem bark of Oroxylum indicum showed the presence of some important phytoconstituents like flavonoids, alkaloids and phenols. The information generated by this particular study provides relevant pharmacognostical data needed for proper identification and authentication of Oroxylum indicum stem bark.