HPTLC comparision of leaf and heart wood of Pterocarpus marsupium ROXB – An endangered medicinal plant

Abstract

Pterocarpus marsupium Linn. (Family: Fabaceae) commonly known Asana or Vijoysara is an important medicinal plant, widely distributed throughout India. Heartwood of the plant is traditionally used for various diseases like diabetes, angina, cancer, cardiotonic, brain tonic etc. Many researchers were isolated several active principle like flavonoids, terpenoids and reported its pharmacological activity. The count of this tree species is declining in the wild and therefore it has been placed in the red data book. It is exploited mainly for its medicinal heart wood. Hence use of leaf in place of heart wood would be beneficial for surviving of the plant. On this background the present study was undertaken to compare the phytochemical aspects of leaf and heart wood of Pterocarpus marsupium Linn. Alcohol extract of both leaf and heart wood of the plant were analyzed through HPTLC. Study resulted out that leaf sample showed more or equal spot on HPTLC finger printing. That indicates that leaf may having similar active potency like heart wood. That may provide the base for further study to use the leaf as a substitute of heart wood P. marsupium.