Research Article ISSN: 0974-6943

Jiny Varghese K et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2010, 3(11),2625-2627

Available online through www.jpronline.info

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies of a Mangrove ( Sonneratia caseolaris ) from Kochi of Kerala state in India
Jiny Varghese K1* , Belzik N 1, Nisha A R1,Resiya S 1, Resmi S 1,Silvipriya KS 1. 1 Amrita School of Pharmacy,Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University,AIMS Healthcare Campus,AIMSPonekkara P.O. Kochi Kerala, India

Received on: 12-06-2010; Revised on: 18-08-2010; Accepted on:10-09-2010 ABSTRACT

Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow in tropical and subtropical tidelands throughout the world. Mangroves are able to thrive salt water inundation because of specialized rooting structures. Many of the mangrove species are a rich source of various important phyto constituents and they are useful in microbial infections. Various parts of mangroves are reported to possess medicinal properties. Sonneratia caseolaris (family Sonneratiaceae) is a true mangrove plant which is reported to be antioxidant and cytotoxic. It is traditionally used as an astringent and antiseptic, sprain poultices, in treating piles and arresting haemorrhage. In the present investigation, an attempt was made to study the Pharmacognostical and phytochemical features of the mangrove species. Pharmacognostic studies of leaf specimen and leaf powder which include morphological and microscopic characters were carried out. The successive extraction of the plant material was done with different solvents and various extracts were subjected for its preliminary phytochemical screening to find out the bioactive compounds present in these species. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of various phytochemicals of therapeutic significance. The study will provide referential information for the correct identification of the mangrove species.

Key words: Sonnertia caseolaris, phytochemical screening, Pharmacognostical, sonneratiaceae.

INTRODUCTION Sonneratia caseolaris is a mangrove [ 1 ] species belonging to family Sonneratiaceae [2]. It is found near the banks of tidal rivers in brackish water and provide essential congregating place for fireflies [3]. Sonneratia caseolaris (family Sonneratiaceae) is a true mangrove plant which is reported to be antioxidant and cytotoxic (fig 1). It is traditionally used as an astringent and antiseptic, sprain poultices, in treating piles. The fermented juices of this mangrove species is said to be useful in arresting haemorrhage whereas the half-ripe fruit can be used to treat coughs. This species is widespread and can be found in Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China (Hainan Island), India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Viet Nam, Northeast Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and the Maldives.

Sonneratia trees are 5-15m long with breathing roots, in which the flowers have many stamens, inserted on the calyx tube, and the ovary is superior. The flowers are sour-smelling, nocturnal, and bat-pollinated. The fruit is a leathery berry seated on the persistent calyx. The aerial root systems called pneumatophores which are slender cone in shape and stand up in line on the cable roots spreading horizontally in every directions in the soil.[4] Twenty-four compounds including eight steroids, nine triterpenoids, three flavonoids, and four benzene carboxylic derivatives were isolated and identified from stems and twigs of medicinal mangrove plant Sonneratia caseolaris [5] (SC). Some of the constituents responsible for moderate cytotoxicity are ()-( R)-nyasol , (-)-( R)-4'-O-methylnyasol and maslinic acid from SC [6]. Survey of literature revealed that the Pharmacognostic and phytochemical parameters are less reported of the mangrove plant, SC. Therefore the present study was undertaken to establish the Pharmacognostical and phytochemical parameters of the leaves of SC MATERIALS AND METHODS S.caseolaris leaves (SC) were collected from the premises of Amrita School of Pharmacy,Kochi & identity of this plant was confirmed by Prof. M.S.Francis Dept. of Botany, S H College, Thevera Kochi. A voucher specimen was deposited (No SHCT/2009/501) in the department of Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi. Shade dried leaves of about 2kg were subjected to coarse powder. The reagents used were of lab grade. PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDIES: Morphological studies were done by employing a simple microscope. Microscopic studies were undertaken by preparing a thin transverse section of the leaves. The powder specimen was stained with hydrochloric acid and phloroglucinol and observed under the compound microscope EXTRACTION PROCEDURE Powder of SC (50gm) was defatted with petroleum ether (60-800c) and then it was successively extracted with benzene, chloroform, acetone, ethanol with the help of soxhlet apparatus [7]. PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING The various extracts obtained after extraction were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. A small amount of the sample were treated with Mayers reagent, Hagers reagent, Dragendorffs reagent and Wagners reagent to detect the presence of alkaloids. Carbohydrate was detected using Molisch,

Fig.1. The plant of Sonneratia caseolaris

*Corresponding author.
Jiny Varghese K. Assistant Professor,Amrita School of Pharmacy, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, AIMS Healthcare Campus,AIMSPonekkara P.O. Kochi Kerala, India Tel.: + 91-0484 2802140,2141 E-mail:jinivarghesek@aims.amrita.edu, jinyvarghese_k@rediffmail.com

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Barfoeds, Fehlings, Benedicts and Seliwanoffs reagent. Salkowskis test was conducted to test the presence of sterols. Glycosides were tested using Legals, Borntragers and Keller killiani test. Saponins were confirmed by foam test. Phenolic compounds and tannins presence were indicated with the help of ferric chloride solution, lead acetate solution and aqueous bromine solution. Biuret test, Millons regent and Ninhydrin reagent used to test the presence of proteins and amino acids in the various extracts[8]. The test like Shinoda test, addition of lead acetate, addition of sodium hydroxide followed by decolourisation upon acid addition was performed to check the presence of flavonoids. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Pharmacognostical studies [9]: The morphological studies of both the plants revealed that, they are Dark green in colour, bitter in taste without any specific characteristic odour (table no. 1). The transverse section of the leaves of SC (fig 2)showed the presence Table no:4:Colour and consistency and percentage yield of various extracts obtained by successive solvent extraction of Sonnertia caseolaris
S.No 1 2 3 4 5 Solvent Pet ether Benzene Chloroform Acetone Ethanol Colour & consistency Dark green Dark green Greenish black Greenish brown Reddish brown Percent Yield (W/W) 1.34% 0.64% 0.86% 2.98% 4.26%

Table no:5:Qualitative chemical examination of various extracts of Sonneratia caseolaris

Test /Reagent used 1.Alkaloids Mayers reagent. Dragendorffs Reagent. Hagers reagent. Wagners reagent. 2.Carbohydrates Molisch reagent. Barfoeds reagent. Fehlings reagent. Benedicts reagent. Seliwanoffs reagent. 3.Sterols Salkowski Test 4.Glycosides Legals test. Borntragers test. Keller killiani test. 5.Saponins Foam test 6.Phenolic compounds & Tannins Ferric chloride solution. Lead acetate Solution. Aqueous bromine solution. 7.Proteins & amino acids Millons reagent. Biurets reagent. Ninhydrin reagent. 8.Flavanoids Shinoda test. Lead acetate test. PEE + + BE + CE + + + + AE + + + + + + + + EE + + + + + + + + + + + + + +

Fig.2. T.S. of leaf of Sonneratia caseolaris

PEE =Petroleum ether extract,BE=Benzene extract,CE=Chloroform extract,AE = Acetone Extract,EE = Ethanol Extract

Table.1: Morphological characters

Morphological characters of Leaves. Colour Odour Taste Shape Apex Sonneratia caseolaris Green None Bitter Elliptic, Oblong Mucronate

of upper and lower epidermis, glandular trichomes, palisade cells, spongy parenchyma, collenchyma and vascular bundles comprising xylem and phloem (table no.2). The analysis of the leaf powder of SC showed the presence of paracytic stomata, epidermal cells with palisade cells, fibres and spongy tissues (table no.3). The colour and consistency of various extracts obtained by successive solvent extraction of plant material were shown in (table 4). The qualitative chemical examination of various extracts obtained by successive solvent extraction of plant material were performed and the results are depicted in table no.5. The presence of Cardiac glycosides were shown by all the extracts excluding benzene and water extract. Ethanolic and acetone extracts gave positive results for alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids and cardiac glycosides. In addition to that, it was found that saponins and phenolic compounds were present in ethanol and sterols are found in acetone extracts respectively. Chloroform extract gave positive result for alkaloids, carbohydrates and cardiac glycosides. Benzene extract was shown the positive result for carbohydrates. Petroleum ether extract showed the presence of carbohydrates and cardiac glycosides. Water extracts showed the presence of carbohydrates and phenolic compounds. CONCLUSION The present study on pharmacognostical characteristics and preliminary phytochemical screening of Sonneratia caseolaris provide valuable information which may help in authenticating the genuine mangrove plant along with the nature of phytoconstituents present in it. The above studies provide information regarding their identification and chemical constituents which may be useful for the standardization and preparation of monograph of SC. The constituents of SC may have several medicinal properties and can be utilized for the treatment of various diseases. Further research on this particular mangrove species may help in the isolation of therapeutically potent compounds which can be finally be subjected to pharmacological activities and

Table.2:Transverse section of leaves of Sonneratia caseolaris

Label 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Microscopic characters observed Upper epidermis Upper palisade cells Spongy parenchyma Vascular bundles Xylem Phloem Collenchyma Lower palisade cells Lower epidermis Glandular trichomes

Table No.3:Powder microscopy of leaves of Sonneratia caseolaris

Serial No. 1 2 3 4 5 Microscopic characters observed Paracytic stomata Epidermal cells Palisade cells Fibres Spongy tissues

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clinical trials, thus leading to opening up new avenues in the use of natural products for therapeutic purpose. REFERENCES
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Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.3.Issue 11.November 2010

2625-2627