Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Studies of Melhania futteyporensis Munro ex Masters Leaf

The leaves of Melhania futteyporensis Munro ex Masters (Sterculiaceae) are reported to have good medicinal values in traditional system of medicines. The present study deals with pharmacognostical examination of morphological and microscopical characters and phytochemical investigations of Melhania futteyporensis leaves including determination of loss on drying, ash values and extractive values. The preliminary phytochemical screening of powdered drug was also carried out. The qualitative chemical examinations revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents like carbohydrates, saponins, phenolic compounds and mucilages in the leaf extracts.