PRELIMINARY PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON AERIAL ROOTS OF FICUS BENGHALENSIS LINN

The aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis Linn (Moraceae) have been reported to have immunomodulatory, anti-bacterial and hair growth promoting activities. There are no reports on pharmacognostical and phytochemical investigations of these aerial roots. The aim of the present study was evaluation of sectional microscopy, powder characteristics, preliminary phytochemical screening of successive solvent extracts (petroleum ether, toluene, dichloromethane, methanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts) of the aerial roots. The result of the sectional microscopy indicated the presence of cork cells, phloem and xylem. The powder characteristics indicated the presence of calcium oxalate crystals, lignified fibers. Preliminary phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids, phenolics and saponins. An extract rich in flavonoids (ethyl acetate rich extract) of the aerial roots was prepared and a quantitative analysis of total flavonoid and total phenolic content was done.