Pharmacognostic Characterization and Phytochemical Evaluation of Brown Seaweed Hydroclathrus Clathratus (C.Agardh) M.Howe

Objective To explore the pharmacognostical and phytochemical properties of Hydroclathrus clathratus. Methods The qualitative microscopy, phytochemical screening, physicochemical evaluation and fluorescence analysis of the plant were carried out according to the standard procedure recommended in the WHO guidelines. Results Macroscopic study showed that plants were dark brown, 6-10cm flat, yellow brown sponge-like clump of very porous, chain-like tissue. Thallus is irregularly globular. The plant exhibits two layers of tissue as seen in transactional view. The outer zone consists of radially elongated, cylindrical, less compact palisade cells. Inner to the palisade layer is a narrow zone of three layers of wide, polygonal compact thin walled parenchyma cells. The different extracts of H. clathratus showed the presence of tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, phenols, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, Coumarins, steroids, phytosteroids, Anthroquinones, Phlobatannins. Physico-chemical and fluorescence analysis of the seaweed was also recorded. Conclusions Various pharmacognostical parameters evaluated in this study help in the identification and standardization of the of the seaweed Hydroclathrus clathratus.