Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical Investigation of Argyreia nervosa Roots (Convolvulaceae)

Argyreia nervosa Linn. (Argyreia speciosa) belonging to family Convolvulaceae, commonly known as elephant creeper, has been reported to have antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, nootropic, anticonvulsant, hypoglycemic, anti-oxidant, antiviral, nematicidal, aphordiasic, immunomodulatory, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity.

Pharmacognostical parameters for the roots were studied with the aim of contributing towards establishing monograph for this species. In pharmacognostical investigations, examination of macroscopical, microscopical characters, ash values, extractive values, foreign matter and LOD were carried out. Phytochemical screening included qualitative chemical examination and thin layer chromatography of the detected phytoconstituents.

Microscopical study showed well defined tissues like thick walled cork, cortex and phloem with resin canals, drum shaped xylem vessels etc. Preliminary phytochemical investigation of aqueous and methanolic extract of roots of Argyreia nervosa revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, amino acid, tannins and flavonoids which were further confirmed by thin layer chromatography. However flavonoids were found to be absent in chloroform extract and ethereal extract showed presence of only tannins. Thus the present work justifies our aim of detailed pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigation and chromatographic studies of the plant.