Micromorphology, phytochemical screening, and GC-MS analysis of bioactive compounds isolated from Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr.: A potent medicinal plant

Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr. is an epiphytic orchid of the family Orchidaceae with various medicinal and phytochemical properties. The present study aimed to provide a detailed description and relevant information on pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and GC-MS analysis of different parts of Papilionanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr. The microscopy study revealed the diagnostic features such as the presence of raphides in the stem anatomy, and velamen radicum in root microscopy respectively. Powder microscopy of the leaf showed the paracytic type of stomata, the root showed starch grains with xylary fibres, sieve tubes, and cortical cells, and the stem exhibited the presence of fibre cells, lignified cells, and scalariform vessel cells. Analysis of a methanolic extract by GC-MS from different parts of the plant revealed the major biologically active compounds such as phytol (6.412%) in the leaf extract, benzene acetic acid and alpha-methyl benzyl alcohol (26.967%) in stem extract, and sesquiterpene compound 1, 5, 9, 9-Tetramethyl-2-Oxatricyclo [6.4.0.0(4, 8)] Dodecane (5.937%) in root extract. The micromorphological characters, and identification of different biologically active compounds in the Papilioanthe teres (Roxb.) Schltr. warrants further biological and pharmacological studies.