PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDIES AND PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATION ON THE BARK OF BAUHINIA VARIEGATA (CAESALPINIACEAEA)

Abstract

Bauhinia variegata (Family - Caesalpiniaceaea) is a medium-sized, deciduous tree, found throughout India, ascending to an altitude up to 1800m in Himalayas. The objective of the study was to develop various standardization parameters for the evaluation of Bark of this plant. Microscopy, powder characteristics of bark were observed and results were recorded. Physicochemical analysis such as extractive value includes petroleum ether, ethanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous soluble extractive values of 2.88, 6.86, 2.96, and 8.88% w/w respectively; extracts were analysed by chemical test and showed presence of flavonoids, tannins, steroids and triterpenoids etc. The preliminary phytochemical investigation indicated presence of tannins, carbohydrates, flavenoieds and steroids. The results obtained from standardization of bark established the macro and microscopical parameters, physicochemical parameters, TLC profiles that characterize the genuine plant drug (B.variegata) so these parameters are useful for quick identification of drug and are particularly useful in the case of powdered materials.