Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical and in vitro Biological Evaluation of Blepharis repens (Vahl) Roth

Blepharis repens (Vahl) Roth of Acanthaceae family, commonly known as Hadsan in Marathi and Haridachchu in Kannada, is threatened species due to exploitation from natural habitat. Objectives: The objective of present study is to establish scientifically well evaluated pharmacognostic and biological efficacy parameters. Methods: Microscopical parameters of leaf, root and stem are evaluated. Powder microscopy, physicochemical analysis, elemental analysis, fluorescence analysis, preliminary phytochemical screening and estimation of major phytoconstituents of whole herb powder are carried out. In vitro biological evaluation of Blepharisrepens carried out for antioxidant potential by DPPH method, in vitro anticancer activity by SRB assay and antimicrobial efficacy by both agar well diffusion and bioautography methods. Results: Morphologically, roots are cylindrical and elongated, leaf has symmetric base, entire margin, acute apex while stem is cylindrical, elongated. Microscopic evaluation reveals that both leaf and stem are covered with trichomes. Leaf has unicellular uniseriate trichomes while stem has multi-cellular uniseriate covering trichomes. Physicochemical evaluation revealed that total ash, acid insoluble ash and water-soluble ash values 13.85 7.7 and 3.1% respectively. Petroleum ether, alcohol and water extractive values found 0.84%, 1.64%, and 3.52% respectively. Loss on drying value is found 3.43%. Element analysis of whole herb confirms presence of nitrogen, sulphate and carbonate. Fluorescence tests are performed by treatment with different acids and alkalis and exposure to ultraviolet light. Phytochemical screening shows presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. Estimation of phytochemicals like carbohydrate, alkaloid, tannin and flavonoid found 5.78%, 1.43%, 5.7% and 1.48% respectively. Biological evaluation reveals that plant has significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity while plant is devoid of in-vitro anticancer activity against human leukemia cell line HL-60.