Pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical screening of Ctenolepis gracinii

Abstract

The study is aimed at development of physicochemical parameters and to investigate the active principle present in Ctenolepis gracinii Burm.f.),(Cucurbitaceae). Atkinson says the fruits ,seeds and roots are used in medicine. This species as being used by the Tamils as a treatment for quinsy and other throat disorders. From extensive literature survey it was revealed that no reports were available on microscopic evaluation, standardization parameters of Ctenolepis gracinii to check the identity and purity of the drug. The present work comprises the investigations carried out to establish methods  for quality control of drugs, botanical evaluation which comprises of macroscopy, physiochemical parameters like loss on drying, extractive values, Ash values and to investigate the phytochemicals present in the extracts in the preliminary level with respect to thin layer chromatography were also carried out for the quality control of the drug. Thus it was thought worthwhile to explore this endangered plant on the basis of it’s standardization parameters .The study will provide referential information for the correct identification of the crude drug.