ABSTRACT

Abrus precatorius belongs to the family Fabaceae and is a slender woody perennial climber. The genus Abrus is native to India, introduced to warmer regions of the world. It has gained scientific importance as a potential herbal remedy in treatment of chronic nephritis, diabetes, cancer, bacterial infections, convulsions, jaundice, spermatorrhoea and many others. In the present work, the root of the plant was standardized pharmacognostically by subjecting it to various evaluation parameters like microscopical, physicochemical and phytochemical evaluations. The TS and LS of the root showed prominent xylem vessels and fibres. The powdered microscopy showed the presence of pitted and scalariform xylem vessels. Chemo-microscopical studies using various staining reagents like phloroglucinol and HCl, Schules reagent, Toluidine blue, Safranin, and Sudan III were performed. The chemo-microscopical studies revealed the presence of lignin in the cell walls of xylem, starch grains in the medullary rays etc. In physicochemical evaluation, the ash values and extractive values were studied. Fluorescence analysis performed showed a wide range of fluorescence colours for the powder as well as the extracts. The powdered root was extracted with petroleum ether, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, alcohol and water. The extracts obtained were concentrated and subjected to chemical tests. From the preliminary chemical tests, presence of flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds and saponins was observed. Variety of the compounds present in the root were detected in methanolic extract. These evaluation parameters performed will help in setting a suitable monograph for the plant, as A. precatorious root is an important medicinal herb in the alternative systems of medicine.