Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL VALUATION OF GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE LEAF.

Mariyan R. Patel*

ABSTRACT

Gymnema sylvestre (Asclepiadaceae) is native to India. Leaves of Gymnema sylvestre is a best remedy for diabetes. Pharmacognostic standardization, physicochemical evaluation of the Leaves of Gymnema sylvestre was carried out to determine its macro-and microscopical characters and also some insoluble ash and sulphated ash values, alcohol- and water-soluble extractive values were determined for phytochemical evaluations. Preliminary phytochemical screening was also done to detect different phytoconstituents. Microscopically, leaves showed The Proximate analysis of powder was also carried out in which extractive value, ash value, foreign matter, moisture content, loss on drying and foaming index were determined and also successive solvent extraction was carried out using soxhlet extractor in which ethanol was used. Aqueous extract was also carried out by maceration method. Preliminary phytochemical screening of various successive extracts of leaves was done qualitatively which revealed the presence of anthraquinones, saponins, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, carbohydrates and tannins.

Keywords: Gymnema sylvestre, macroscopy, microscopy, phytoconstituents.