Pharmacognostical studies and preliminary phytochemical investigations on the bark of Persea macrantha (Nees) Kosterm (Lauraceae)

Persea macrantha (Nees) Kosterm (Lauraceae) is an important traditional medicinal plant being used for treatment of asthma and rheumatism. Systematic pharmacognostical evaluation of bark of the plant has been carried out with respect to macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical parameters and estimation of different standards. TLC profiles were developed for petroleum ether and chloroform extract. The preliminary phytochemical investigations indicated presence of alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates and steroids. The results obtained from standardization of bark established the macroand microscopical parameters, physicochemical parameters, TLC profiles that characterize the genuine plant drug (P. macrantha). These parameters can be utilized for quick identification of the drug and are particularly useful in the case of powdered materials.