Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Analysis on Leaves of Homalium ceylanicum (Gardn.) Benth.

Objective: Kakhara, Dhanimari or Kakhda is one of the folklore plant of Odisha, which has been identified as Homalium ceylanicum (Gardn.) Benth. (Syn. H. zeylanicum) belonging to family Salicaceae (Flacourtiaceae). The leaves and bark of the plant is used in rheumatism, diabetes and wound healing. Review of literature revealed that the scientific evaluation on various parts of the plants has not been carried out, hence the present study has been designed to study leaves of Homalium ceylanicum Benth. For its morphology, anatomy, physiochemical and phytochemical aspects. Methods: The leaves samples were collected from Gandhamardana hills, Odisha, in month of September 2016, herbarium was provided with herbarium reference no. phm/6216/2016-17 and also certified by BSI Kolkata. Macroscopic observations were made with naked eyes and centimeter scale was used to measure the leaf size. Microscopy of leaf, Stomatal index and powder microscopy was done as per standard protocol. Physicochemical and qualitative analysis were done following standard API protocols. Results: Leaves are simple, alternate, with crenate margin and petiole is pubescent. T.S. of petiole shows boat shaped with two protruding arms supported by 2 meristele. The schematic diagram of T.S. of petiole shows somewhat orbicular to boat shaped with two arms protruding supporting two meristele in each arm. Stomatal index is 15.94-16.91, powder is bitter with leafy aroma, microscopic shows paracyctic stomata key character of genus. LOD is 8.66 ± 0.72 and carbohydrates are present in both extracts. Conclusion: the anatomical characters and values obtained from analytical study can help in standardization.