Preliminary Phytochemical evaluation of stem bark, root, leaf of Croton roxburghii Balak. (Euphorbiaceae)

Objective: Standardization of Ayurvedic drugs is a critical and essential issue to be considered in assuring the therapeutic efficacy and safety and to rationalize their use in healthcare. Croton roxburghii Balak. is a reputed plant in traditional system of medicine. Its stem bark, root, and leaves are used by tribal people and traditional practitioners of Odisha for the treatment of snake bite, swellings, cuts and wounds, boils, ringworms, sprains etc. The data evolved can be adopted for laying down the standards for this plant in future.Method: The present study has been undertaken, to establish the necessary phytochemical evaluation including physic-chemical, preliminary qualitative tests, quantitative estimation and HPTLC study of stem bark, root and leaf of Croton roxburghii, following standard procedures.Results: Physico-chemical study showed the percentage of ash value (9.63% w/w, 6.83% w/w, 6.90% w/w), pH (6.27, 7.3, 7) etc. of stem bark, root and leaf respectively. All three sample i.e. stem bark, root and leaf extract showed the presence of carbohydrate and protein and absence of saponin whereas only stem bark extract showed the presence of alkaloid and stem bark (10.08%) and root ( 5.88%) extract both showed the presence of tannin. In HPTLC study Croton roxburghii stem bark, root and leaf showed 4, 10, and 9 spots respectively at 254 nm. whereas 1, 2 and 4 spots at 366 nm.Conclusion: The physicochemical evaluation showed no marked difference for the root, stem bark and leaf of Croton roxburghii. Tannin and triterpenes were present in root and stem bark while carbohydrates, phenols, gum and resin were present in all three parts.