PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF ERA NTHEMUM RETICULATUM

Abstract

This study was undertaken to establish comprehensive pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical, chromatographic, and antioxidant standards for the methanolic leaf extract of Eranthemum reticulatum, with the objective of providing scientific validation for its identification, authentication, quality control, and medicinal significance. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of major bioactive constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, phenolic compounds, proteins, and reducing sugars, Macroscopic evaluation showed characteristic features including a broad green lamina, entire margin, pointed apex, and reticulate venation, while microscopic studies revealed diagnostic markers such as a single-layered epidermis with cuticle, hypo stomatic leaf with diacytic stomata, multicellular glandular trichomes, differentiated palisade and spongy mesophyll, collateral vascular bundles, cystoliths, and calcium oxalate crystals. Quantitative microscopy parameters, including stomatal index, vein islet number, and palisade ratio, were found to be reliable identification constants. Physicochemical analysis indicated acceptable moisture content, low contamination, and the presence of water-soluble active constituents. Thin Layer Chromatography produced a characteristic fingerprint with distinct Rf values, and UV–Visible spectroscopy showed λmax at 418 nm, confirming chromophoric antioxidant compounds. The methanolic extract exhibited significant concentration-dependent antioxidant activity in the DPPH assay, with a lower IC₅₀ value than ascorbic acid. These findings confirm the strong antioxidant potential and pharmacognostic importance of the plant, supporting its use as a natural therapeutic agent and recommending further studies for isolation and pharmacological evaluation of active compounds.