Pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Cinnamomum bejolghota (Buch.-Ham.) Sweet bark

Abstract

Pharmacognostic, physico-chemical and preliminary phytochemical studies of Cinnamomum bejolghota (Buch.-Ham.) Sweet (Family Lauraceae) bark was carried out. Physico-chemical parameters such as total, acid insoluble and water soluble ash value were determined. In microscopic studies, transverse and longitudinal section of bark and its powder characters were studied and characteristic features were established. Different extracts obtained by successive solvent extraction were tested separately for the presence of various phytoconstituents, viz. alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates, fats and fixed oils, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, gums, lignins, proteins, steroids, triterpenoids, tannins and phenolic compounds. The present study of C. bejolghota bark will be useful in laying down standardization and pharmacopoeia parameters and information obtained can be used as markers in the identification.