PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STANDERDIZATION, PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ANATOMICAL STUDIES OF THREE JATROPHA SPECIES FROM INDIA

*Rani B. Bhagat

ABSTRACT

Jatropha, (Gk.- Jatros: Doctor, trophe: nutrition), which refers to its medicinal usage, is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, which has 172 species worldwide. Jatropha, a member of the Euphorbiaceae family, is well-known for its great economic value. In India it has been reported with eighteen species both in wild and cultivated state. Due to its potential use as biodiesel or biofuel, this Central American native has gained popularity in Africa and Asia. It significantly contributes to the prevention of infectious organisms. It is mentioned in traditional medicine for conditions such as pneumonia, inflammation, dysentery. It has a lot of potential for use in traditional and indigenous medical practices but constraint for its correct identity. Present research work aims to evaluate the three Jatropha species namely J. nana which is an ephemeral, endemic and threatened species found in Pune, Maharashtra, J. gossypifolia, and J. glandulifera which are widely occurring throughout India for its phytochemical analysis, Pharmagnostic and anatomical studies. Plant samples were deposited in Agharkar Herbarium of Maharashtra Association (AHMA), Pune and studied for preliminary phytochemical tests, extractive values, crude fiber, qualitative (TLC) and quantitative analysis of phytochemicals using High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), micronutrient analysis using Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), sectioning of leaves and roots of three Jatropha species and powder analysis was investigated for its correct identity.

Keywords: AAS, Anatomy, HPTLC, Jatropha SPP., Phytochemical, Pharmacognosy, TLC.