Physicochemical and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies On the Leaves of Crinum latifolium Linn.

The present communication attempts to evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the leaves of Crinum latifolium Linn. of Amaryllidaceae family. Crinum latifolium Linn. rosette-like herb that arises from an underground bulb which is used in several traditional medicines to cure various diseases. It is a stout perennial herb of about 2 m in height. This herb has been known to posses Analgesic activity, Anticancer activity and Immuno stimulatory activity. Phytochemical analysis has recently yielded a vast array of compounds, including more than 150 different alkaloids, tannin, phenolic compound, flavonoids, terpenoids, amino acids, steroid saponins and antioxidants. Hippadine, pratorinine, ambelline and lycorine, 2-epilyocorine and 2-epipancrassidine etc. have been isolated from this plant. As there is no detailed standardization work reported on fruit, the physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical constants, thin layer chromatography are carried out. The study revealed specific identities for the particular crude drug which will be useful in identification and control to adulterations of the raw drug.