Main Article Content
Abstract
Medicinal plants remain an important source of biologically active compounds and continue to contribute significantly to modern drug development¹. Allamanda cathartica (Apocynaceae) is widely used in traditional medicine for treating skin disorders, inflammation, and infected wounds. However, systematic pharmacognostic standardization and scientific validation of its therapeutic potential are still limited. The present investigation was designed to establish pharmacognostic standards, perform phytochemical profiling, and evaluate the in-vivo therapeutic potential of Allamanda cathartica leaves.
Fresh leaves were collected, authenticated, and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic studies. Physicochemical parameters such as ash values, extractive values, and loss on drying were determined according to standard pharmacopoeial methods². Hydroalcoholic extraction of powdered leaves was carried out, followed by qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening. The in-vivo therapeutic activity was evaluated using an excision wound model in Wistar albino rats.
The pharmacognostic evaluation revealed characteristic features such as multicellular trichomes, spiral vessels, and calcium oxalate crystals, which can serve as diagnostic markers for identification. The extract showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics, and terpenoids. Quantitative analysis revealed high total phenolic content (62.54 ± 1.25 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoid content (44.72 ± 1.04 mg QE/g extract). In-vivo studies demonstrated significant wound healing activity, with the high-dose extract showing 95.12% wound contraction on the 14th day.
The results indicate that Allamanda cathartica possesses significant pharmacognostic and phytochemical characteristics and exhibits promising therapeutic potential in wound healing. The study provides scientific support for the traditional medicinal use of this plant and suggests its potential application in herbal drug development.
Fresh leaves were collected, authenticated, and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic studies. Physicochemical parameters such as ash values, extractive values, and loss on drying were determined according to standard pharmacopoeial methods². Hydroalcoholic extraction of powdered leaves was carried out, followed by qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening. The in-vivo therapeutic activity was evaluated using an excision wound model in Wistar albino rats.
The pharmacognostic evaluation revealed characteristic features such as multicellular trichomes, spiral vessels, and calcium oxalate crystals, which can serve as diagnostic markers for identification. The extract showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics, and terpenoids. Quantitative analysis revealed high total phenolic content (62.54 ± 1.25 mg GAE/g extract) and flavonoid content (44.72 ± 1.04 mg QE/g extract). In-vivo studies demonstrated significant wound healing activity, with the high-dose extract showing 95.12% wound contraction on the 14th day.
The results indicate that Allamanda cathartica possesses significant pharmacognostic and phytochemical characteristics and exhibits promising therapeutic potential in wound healing. The study provides scientific support for the traditional medicinal use of this plant and suggests its potential application in herbal drug development.
Keywords
Pharmacognostic standardization, phytochemical profiling, medicinal plants, wound healing, Allamanda cathartica, herbal therapeutics
Article Details
References
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