Pharmacognostical standardization of Corchorus depressus (L.) Stocks (Tiliaceae)- A promising ethnomedicinal plant

Corchorus depressus (L.) Stocks syn. C. depressus (L.) C. Chr. (Tiliaceae), commonly known as Baphuli, traditionally used in pain, fever, sexual dysfunction and to treat gonorrhea. In the present investigation, various pharmacognostical standards for C. depressus have been established. Collection of plant material was carried out and its morphological, physico-chemical and phytochemical studies including HPTLC of leaf, root and stem of plant were investigated. Microscopically, leaf of C. depressus showed presence of anomocytic stomata, crescent shaped vascular bundles, unicellular trichomes. The roots of the plant showed cork cambium, secondary phloem, and calcium oxalate crystals and stem exhibited fibres, parenchyma cells, vessels, stomata, palisade cells and trichomes. Phytochemically, the ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of C. depressus showed variety of phytochemicals such as alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, saponin, tannin and phenolic compounds. HPTLC profile of methanol extract of leaves revealed up to six phytoconstituents amongst which oleanolic acid was most prominent. The study concludes that leaves, roots and stem can be differentiated on the basis of macro and microscopic characters, physico-chemical values, HPTLC fingerprint profile and oleanolic acid detection as marker component. These studies provide referential information for correct identification and standardization of the plant and also be helpful to differentiate C. depressus from the closely related other species of Corchorus.