Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Investigations of Root of Heliotropium Indicum Linn

The root of Heliotropium indicum is reported to have good medicinal values in traditional system of medicines. Commonly called as Indian Turnsole, is a herb with slightly woody at base. It is distributed in the tropical and temperate regions of the world and found throughout India The present study deals with phytochemical investigations of Heliotropium indicum root including determination of loss on drying(3.8%), Ash values{total ash(6.3%), acid insoluble ash(3.5%), water soluble ash(3.2), sulphated ash(6%)} and extractive values{water soluble extractive(21%), alcohol soluble extractive(2%), benzene soluble extractive(1.5%), Petroleum Ether soluble Extractive(2.1%)}. The preliminary phytochemical screening of powdered drug was also carried out. The qualitative chemical examinations revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents like alkaloids, carbohydrates, phytosterols, tannins and saponin in the root extracts through the chromatographic separation technique i.e. TLC . These observations therefore support the use of Heliotropium indicum in herbal cure remedies. Alkaloids which are one of the largest groups of phytochemicals in plants have amazing effects on humans and this has led to the development of powerful pain killer medications revealed the inhibitory effect of saponins on inflamed cells. Saponin was found to be present in Heliotropium indicum extracts and has supported the usefulness of this plant in managing inflammation. INTRODUCTION: Man’s existence on the earth has been made possible only because of the vital role played by the plant kingdom in sustaining his life. The pharmaceutical industry has reported to have synthesized over three million new synthetic chemicals in search for new drugs. The lead that directs this synthetic effort frequently comes from a natural product, and drugs derived from natural products still form a surprisingly large proportion of medicines in current use . Heliotropium indicum (Boraginaceae) commonly called as Indian Turnsole, is a herb with slightly woody at base. It is distributed in the tropical and temperate regions of the world and found throughout India . The whole plant is claimed to possess medicinal properties. In ayurveda the juice of leaves applied on boils, pimples, ulcers, sores and wounds to cure. In Belize, the plant is used for diarrhea, malaise or vomiting in infants . The leaves are used for the treatment of ophthalmic disorders, erysipelas, pharyngodynia, and anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor. The roots are used as astringent, expectorant and febrifuge. The extract of leaves was proved to be active against Schwart’s leukemia, wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. Correspondence to Author: