Research Article Int J Biomed Investig; ISSN: 2581-4745; Vol: 2; Issue 1
International Journal of Biomedical Investigation
Available Online: https://ijbi.edwiserinternational.com
Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Evaluation of Hibiscus hirtus Linn.
Radhika. B*, Neha Samreen, N. Ramya and Nisa Nooreen
Department of Pharmacognosy, Vaageswari College, Thimmapur, Karimnagar, Telangana, India
Article info Abstract
Received 20 January 2019 The present initiative is to evaluate pharmacognostic characteristics and
Revised 26 February 2019 phytochemical evaluation of leaves of Hibiscus hirtus Linn. belonging to
Published 15 March 2019 family Malvaceae. These studies give the information about Transverse
Section (TS) of leaf and powder characters like xylem vessels, calcium
*Corresponding author: Radhika B, oxalate crystals, and the quantitative microscopical characters like vein
epartment of Pharmacognosy, islet, vein termination, stomatal index. Physicochemical parameters like ash
values and extractive values were determined. The results obtained from
Vaageswari College, Thimmapur,
standardization of Leaves of Hibiscus hirtus Linn. give the details of
Karimnagar, Telangana, India; E-
microscopical, macroscopical and physicochemical characters which are
mail: radhiyre@gmail.com useful in specifying standards. On the other hand, phytochemical
examination gives the information about different phytoconstituents present
in the herb.
Keywords: Hibiscus hirtus Linn, Pharmacognostic, Physiochemical,
phytochemicals
Introduction
Plants are actually conscious, sentient life forms are done. Therapeutic potency, chemical constituents and
connected in complex and mysterious ways to the health botany is unique for each plant drug. From generation to
of our bodies and minds. Since ages, plants are being generation, by the use of folkloric medicine, various
used to maintain human health. At both national and ailments are being cured [2].
international levels medicinal plants are being
extensively researched. In current pharmacopoeias, Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plant in family
plants form the major natural sources of medicinally malvaceae. The genus is very large comprising 679
active compounds. For quality control of herbal drugs, species that occur in warm temperate, tropical and
necessary pharmacognostic studies are carried out. subtropical regions all over the world [3]. The sub shrub
Pharmacognostic evaluation of herbal drugs constitute “Hibiscus hirtus Linn.” (lesser mallow plant) is of the
macroscopic, microscopic and physio-chemical constant same family and has its own importance in the Hindu
analysis of experimented parts and to specify standards tradition. It is a diminutive species from the East Indies
of those drugs and their preparations in order to validate and Malaysia. It is an easy to grow tropical sub-shrub.
genuineness of the crude drugs of plant, mineral and
animal origin [1]. Classification
According to WHO (1998), the macroscopic and Kingdom: Plantae
microscopic description of a part (e.g. leaves) of Division: Tracheophyta
medicinal plant is the initial step for establishing its Class: Magnoliopsida
purity and identity and must be carried before any tests Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
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Citation: Radhika B, Samreen N, Ramya N, et al. Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Evaluation of Hibiscus hirtus
Linn. Int J Biomed Investig 2019; 2: 117. doi: 10.31531/2581-4745.1000117
Genus: Hibiscus Powder analysis of leaf
Species: hirtus L
Little quantity of leaf powder is taken on microscope
Materials and Methods slide and added a small amount of phloroglucinal and
hydrochloric acid then a small drop of glycerol to the
Collection and authentication slide and observe under 45X magnification of
microscope, and the powder characters are observed like
Leaves of Hibiscus hirtus Linn. with petioles were xylem, phloem, calcium oxalate crystals and starch
collected in the month of October from Karimnagar grains which are identified by adding a drop of iodine and
district, Telangana. The plant specimen was they are observed in blue color [6,9].
authenticated, and herbarium was deposited at Botanical
Survey of India, Kolkata, India, for further reference. The
collected plant material was made free from any foreign
matter. Leaves were separated, shade dried and
powdered with laboratory mixer. Pharmacognostic
studies were conducted with fresh leaves and leaf
powder.
Macroscopy
The following macroscopic characters for the fresh
leaves were noted: size and shape, colour, surfaces,
venation, presence or absence of petiole, apex, margin, Figure 1: Transverse section of leaf.
base, lamina, texture, odour and taste.
Microscopic evaluation Physiochemical analysis
It is generally done for the powder and the fresh leaves. Physiochemical values such as the percentage of ash
Powder analysis is done for a powder to procure the values and extractive values were determined according
information about the epidermis, xylem, phloem, to the official methods [7].
calcium oxalate crystals etc. and the fresh leaves are used
Moisture content determination (loss on drying)
for the examination of leaf constants like stomatal
number, stomatal index, vein islet number, vein
Weigh about 5 g of the drug powder and place in the
termination number, palisade ratio and transverse section
clean and dry china dish and dried in the oven at 105°C
of leaf and these helps for identifying adulterated drug
for 3 hours and weigh the drug continuously, with an
from the genuine one [5,11].
interval of 1 hour until the difference between two
successive weights is NMT 0.01 g.
Transverse section of leaf
A transverse section of the leaf is biconvex in outline. It
shows upper and lower epidermis carrying glandular
trichomes. The lamina has dorsiventral structure with one
row of upper palisade being discontinuous in the midrib
region. The midrib is embossed on the both surfaces
exhibiting sub-epidermal collenchyma, cortical tissues
and large central collateral vascular bundle. Crystals of
calcium oxalate are dispersed in the cortical tissue
inclusive in the mesophyll and phloem. The upper
epidermis consists of polygonal, slightly elongated cells.
The lower epidermis consists of polygonal cells with
slightly wavy, thin cellulosic anticlinal walls. Both upper Figure 2: Hibiscus hirtus Linn plant, pod and leaf.
and lower epidermises are covered with smooth cuticle
(Figure 1).
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Citation: Radhika B, Samreen N, Ramya N, et al. Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Evaluation of Hibiscus hirtus
Linn. Int J Biomed Investig 2019; 2: 117. doi: 10.31531/2581-4745.1000117
Table 1: Pharmacognostic evaluation of Hibiscus hirtus Linn.
Parameters Leaves Flower Fruit
Fresh-Light Green, Dry-
Colour Dark Green Orange Light Yellow or brown
Simple alternative palmilobed Bisexual pedicel slender, joined
sometime unlobed broadly below or slightly above the Capsule, Globose, many
Shape ovate middle, stellate pubescent. seeds, cottony nature.
Size 3.5-7 × 1.5-3 cm 1-1.5 Inch 12-15 Seeds, 2-3 mm
Taste Characteristic Characteristic Characteristic
Odour Characteristic Characteristic Characteristic
Fracture Brittle when dry Brittle when dry Brittle when dry
Colour Dark Green (Extract) Dark Green (Extract) Dark Green (Extract)
Odour Pungent Pungent Pungent
Taste Slight bitter Slight bitter Slight bitter
Texture Slight Greasy Slight Greasy Slight Greasy
Table 2: Quantitative Microscopy of Leaf Powder of It gives the description of organoleptic characteristics
Hibiscus hirtus. Linn. like colour, odour, taste, texture size, shape of crude drug
(Figure 2 and Tables 1 and 2).
Parameter Value
Minim Maxim Avera Powder analysis
um um ge
Starch Grains 8 28 15.84
Phloem Fibers (Width) 12 36 20
176.1
Phloem Fibers (Length) 60 420 6
Calcium Oxalate
Crystals (Width) 4 28 14.24
Calcium Oxalate 176.9
Crystals (Length) 60 400 6
Type of Stomata
(Paracytic) Upper Lower
Stomatal Number 22 12 Figure 3: Upper stomata and lower stomata.
Stomatal Index 50 48
Vein Islet Number 37 Physical evaluation
Vein Termination
Number 58 The Physical parameters like total ash water soluble ash
acid insoluble ash and extract values such as alcohol
Palisade Ratio 1.925 extractive, chloroform extractive and moisture content
are determined the results are given in the following table
Preliminary phytochemical screening (Table 3).
It is done in order to disclose the data regarding the nature
of phytoconstituent present in the material under
experimentation. The various qualitative tests done
detected the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins
and phenol compounds etc. [8,10].
Results and Discussion
Pharmacognostic evaluation
Organoleptic evaluation Figure 4: Vein termination and palisade cells.
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Citation: Radhika B, Samreen N, Ramya N, et al. Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Evaluation of Hibiscus hirtus
Linn. Int J Biomed Investig 2019; 2: 117. doi: 10.31531/2581-4745.1000117
Table 3: Physical Parameters of Hibiscus hirtus. Linn. done (Figures 3-6 and Table 4). The following chemical
constituents are evaluated they are alkaloids, glycosides,
Parameter Value (% w/w) amino acids, flavonoids, steroids, carbohydrates, tannins
Total Ash 19.5 and phenolic compounds.
Water Soluble Ash 12
Acid insoluble Ash 17 Discussion
Alcohol Extractive 1.2
Chloroform Extractive 1 Before any crude drug can be added in a herbal
Moisture content 0.25 pharmacopoeia pharmacognostic parameters must be
established. The estimation of organoleptic characters
gives on idea about external appearance of plant and
helps in easy identification in comparison with other
plants.
The pharmacognostic protocols such as morphology,
micro morphology physical evaluation helps in
identifying the genuine drugs. Physical evaluation also
helps to set the standards of crude drug it also helps in
identifying the adulterants and substituents of crude
drugs.
Figure 5: Starch grains and phloem fibers.
Chemical constituents of the drug are identified by
photochemical screening.
The Hibiscus hirtus Linn. subjected to pharmacognostic
studies to determine the organoleptic characters like
colour, taste, texture, shape, size, odour, microscopical
characters like stomatal number, stomatal index, vein
termination, vein islet number palisade ratio, physical
parameters like total ash, water soluble ash, acid
insoluble ash, extractive values moisture content helps in
the identification, standardization and establishing
chemical constituent’s physiological activity of Hibiscus
Figure 6: Calcium oxalate crystals and trichomes. hirtus Linn.
Table 4: Phytochemical screening of Hibiscus hirtus Conclusion
Linn.
The Pharmacognostic studies like organoleptic
Chemical Tests Results parameters, microscopic parameters and powder
Alkaloids +ve analysis, physical parameters and phytochemical
Glycosides +ve screening useful in the standardization of crude drug. The
given data in the present investigation helps in
Flavonoids +ve preparation of crude drug’s monograph and inclusion in
Proteins +ve various pharmacopeia’s.
Steroids +ve
Amino acids +ve Conflict of Interest
Carbohydrates Test +ve None declared.
Tannins and phenolic compounds +ve
Funding
Phytochemical screening
None declared.
The physiological activity of crude drug is due to the
presence of chemical constituents for the identification
for the chemical constituents phytochemical screening is
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Citation: Radhika B, Samreen N, Ramya N, et al. Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Evaluation of Hibiscus hirtus
Linn. Int J Biomed Investig 2019; 2: 117. doi: 10.31531/2581-4745.1000117
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This manuscript was peer-reviewed
Mode of Review: Single-blinded
Academic Editor: Dr. Bijay Kumar Mohanty
Copyright: ©2019 Radhika B, et al. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
4.0 International License [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/], which permits unrestricted use, distribution,
and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author[s] and the source, provide
a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.
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