Pharmacognostic studies on Pergularia daemia roots

Figures & data

Figure 1.  Transverse section of thick root. Pe, periderm; CSc, cortical sclereids; SPh, secondary phloem; XF, xylem fibers; SX, secondary xylem; Ve, vessel.

Figure 2.  Transverse section of thick taproot. Fi, fissure; Pe, periderm; Co, cortex; PhR, phloem ray; SE, sieve element; XF, xylem fibers; Ve, Vessel; IP, included phloem.

Figure 3.  Powder microscopy of the root under polarized light. Dr, druses, SG, starch grains.

Figure 4.  Powder microscopy of the root. VE, vessel elements; Fi, fibers.

Figure 5.  Powder microscopy of the root. Tr, tracheid; PP, perforation plate; DVE, drum shaped vessel element; VE, vessel; FTr, fiber tracheid; Pa, parenchyma.

Table 1.  Phytochemical screening of Pergularia daemia root extracts.

Phytoconstituents	Petroleum ether	Chloroform	Ethyl acetate	Ethanol	Water
Alkaloids	−	+	−	+	+
Glycosides	−	−	−	+	+
Steroids	−	+	+	+	+
Flavonoids	−	+	−	+	+
Tannins and phenolic compounds	−	+	−	+	+
Terpenoids	−	−	+	+	+
Carbohydrates	−	−	−	+	+
Fixed oils and fats	+	−	−	−	−
Proteins and free amino acids	−	−	−	−	−
Gums and mucilage	−	−	−	+	+
Saponins	−	−	−	+	+

+, Positive; −, Negative

Table 2.  Percentage yield of successive extracts of Pergularia daemia root.

Extract	Percentage yield of extract (w/w)	Color of extract
Petroleum ether	1.05	Weak brownish yellow
Chloroform	4.6	Brownish yellow
Ethyl acetate	3.5	Yellowish brown
Ethanol	8.0	Reddish brown
Water	10.6	Brownish black

Table 3.  Physicochemical analysis of Pergularia daemia root.

Parameters*	Mean (w/w) ± SEM (n = 3)
Moisture content	4.66 ± 0.1155
Total ash	5.06 ± 0.0577
Acid insoluble ash	0.966 ± 0.0288
Water soluble ash	3.56 ± 0.0577
Water soluble extract	9.86 ± 0.0763
Alcohol soluble extract	7.73 ± 0.0352

^* Indicates dry weight basis.

Table 4.  Fluorescence analysis of Pergularia daemia root powder.

Treatment	Under daylight	Under UV light
Powder as such	Yellowish brown	Light brown
Powder + 1N NaoH in methanol	Yellowish brown	Pale yellow
Powder + 1N NaoH in water	Yellowish brown	Reddish yellow
Powder + 1 N Hcl	Pale yellow	Pale yellow
Powder + 50% HNO3	Reddish yellow	Red
Powder + 50% H2SO4	Yellowish green	Yellowish green