PRELIMINARY PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF LEAVES OF LANTANA CAMARA LINN

Abstract

Lantana camara Linn.(Fam. Verbenaceae), a noxious weed grow in tropical and subtropical part of the world used as diaphoretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antibacterial etc. Evaluation of fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of the leaves was carried out to determine the morphological, microscopical and phytochemical profiles. Report on pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of L .camara Linn. is not available. Thus it was useful to undertake the preliminary pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of L. camara Linn. leaves. Leaves of L. camara Linn. are dark green with characteristic odour, opposite, blade ovate, 4-10cm long, with coarse surfaces and toothed margins etc. Microscopy shows covering trichomes, Sclerenchyma, collenchyma, xylem, phloem etc. Phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, pentacyclic triterpenoid, essential oil, flavanoids and saponins. The investigations also included evaluation of physical parameter such as the moisture content, ash values, extractive value and pH value. This research study will provide platform for further reference.