Physicochemical, Qualitative and Quantitative Phytochemical Analysis of the Leaf and Bark of Bombax Ceiba L (Red Silk Cotton Tree)

Abstract

Bombax ceiba L is a big deciduous tree found in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, Africa and Australia. Conventional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani have been highlighted the use of B. ceiba parts (bark, leaves and flower) for the treatment of manydiseases like hypertension, HIV infections, inflammation, catarrhal affection, ulcer, acne, gynecological disorders, fever, dysentery, algesia, hepatotoxicity,  piles and urinary infections. The aim of the present study was to evaluate pharmacognostic, physicochemical, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical analysis of leaf and bark of B. ceiba collected from Bhopal region of Madhya Pradesh. The pharmacognostic studies out in terms of various investigations like organoleptic or morphological characters, microscopic or anatomical studies, physicochemical evaluations (loss on drying, ash value, extractive values and acid insoluble ash value). Qualitative analysis of various phytochemical constituents and quantitative analysis of total phenolics and flavonoids were determined by the well-known test protocol available in the literature. The detail microscopy of bark revealed the presence of cork cell, lignified fibre, calcium oxalate crystals, xylem vessels. Physiochemical parameters such as percentage of foreign matters, ash values, loss on drying swelling index, extractive values were determined. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and glycosides.  In the procedure of quantitative analysis of flavonoids and phenolic   compound was carried out by aluminium chloride Folins and Ciocalteau reagent method .In this methodthe totalflavonoids content and phenolic content of B. ceiba ethanolic and aqueous barks extracts was found to be 6.272, 3.363 and 2.607, 1.607mg /100mg respectively and total phenolic and flavonoids content of B. ceiba ethanolic, aqueous leaves extracts was found to be 7.381, 4.590 and 3.200, 1.792 mg/100mg respectively. These information will also be helpful to differentiate B. ceiba from the closely related other species. The diverse array of phytochemicals present in the plant thus suggests its therapeutic potentials which may be explored in drug manufacturing industry as well as in traditional medicine.