MICROSCOPIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA

In traditional system of medicine, Calotropis gigantea (Akra) has been used for treatment of various diseases. Since, there is no proper information regarding pharmacognostic parameters of flowers of this plant, our efforts were devoted to study the microscopical characters and phytochemical study of flowers of this plant. Microscopic evaluation of gynostegium, sepal/ calyx, petal, ovary and pedicel were undertaken, determination of ash and extractive values, phytochemical screening and TLC for presence of triterpenoids. The microscopic characterization of the parts of the flower i.e. gynostegium, sepal/ calyx, petal, ovary and pedicel of Calotropis gigantea was performed. The physicochemical characterization‘s gave ash values (total ash: 18.60; acid insoluble ash: 5.46; water soluble ash; 13.50) and extraction with petroleum ether, chloroform and 90% ethanol extract gave 2.4, 3.9 and 2.1% w/w, respectively. TLC of chloroform extract showed the presence of triterpenoids. The microscopic study of the flower of Calotropis gigantea give us the foot prints for further study with the presence of triterpenoids in the flowers.