Pharmacognostical Investigation and Total Phenolic Content of Dalbergia Latifolia (roxb) Bark

Dalbergia latifolia commonly known as bilayatti shisham (Fabaceae) is a medicinal plant. The dry bark is brown coloured astringent characters. Traditionally various species are reported to be used as aphrodisiac, abortifacient, expectorant, anthelmentic, antipyretic, appetizer, allays thirst, vomiting, burning sensation, cures skin diseases, ulcers Ayurvedic practice, bark is used as leucoderma, leprosy oedema and bladder disorderThe bark minerals, acids, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, .have characteristic smell astringent taste. This study deals with the pharmacognostical evaluation of the dried bark of Dalbergia latifolia which includes macro and microscopic studies, determination of physicochemical. INTRODUCTION: The genus consists of 300 species and about 25 species occur in India. Many species of Dalbergia are important timber trees, valued for their decorative and often fragrant wood, rich in aromatic oils 1 , 2 . Traditionally various species are reported to be used as aphrodisiac, abortifacient, expectorant, anthelmentic, antipyretic, allays thirst, vomiting, burning sensation, cures skin diseases, ulcers, diseases of the blood, reduces obesity, used in leucoderma, dyspepsia, dysentery, for diseases of the eye and nose, syphilis, stomach troubles, leprosy, leucoderma, scabies and ringworm 4 , 5 . The present paper is compilation of the phytoconstituents that have been identified in this genus and the traditional and reported biological activities. QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.2(5).248-53 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpjournal.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.2(5).248-53 A number of phytoconstituents namely flavonoids, isoflavonoids, glycosides, steroids etc; have been isolated from the various species of the genus. Dalbergia latifolia (Roxb) FamilyFabaceae 5 , a larg glabrous tree a single stem with characteristic smells 6 . The tree has grey bark that peels in long fibres, compound leaves and bunches of small flowers 7 . The bark is grey, thin with irregular short cracks, exfoliating in fibrous longitudinal flakes 8 . It is distributed in Bihar, Bundelkhand and Central India 9 . It contain dalbinol a new 12a-hydroxyrotenoid 10 , sisafolin coumarin from seeds, βsitosterol, also contain dalbergichromene, lupeol, latifolin, and dalbergin from bark of the tree, heartwood contains latinone, neoflavonoid dalcriodon 11 , 12 and Latinone, a substituted phenanthrene-1,4-quinone was isolated from Dalbergia latifolia 13 . Ethanomedicinally, the stem bark contain tannin is used for treatment of leprosy, obesity and worm. The genus consists of 300 species and about 25 species occur in India. Many species of Dalbergia are important timber trees, valued for their