Pharmacognostic Features, Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and in vitro Antioxidant Studies of Calotropis gigantean

Maida Minahil Mushtaq, Sohaib Peerzada, Saiqa Ishtiaq

Calotropis gigantea is a common plant found numerously in Pakistan and well known for its folklore uses it belongs to Apocynaceae family. The current research work based on its identification and for the purification techniques of crude plant drug for its uses in modern medical sciences. This study includes pharmacognostic features evaluation, preliminary and phytochemical studies, microscopic evaluation and powder microscopy. In this study transverse section of the different parts of the plants shows arrangements of fragment and cells. Fluorescence analysis is used for the color identification of plant and in this study fluorescence analysis is performed with different chemical and solution and results are observations are noted in short and long wavelength. For the identification of presence of saponins, alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids phytochemical tests were performed for the evaluation of crude drug powder. Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy is used for the functional group identification of plant parts which would be used for the identification and characterization of plant parts. Physio chemical parameters such as total ash value, Water soluble Ash, Swelling Index, Foaming Index and moisture contents were performed for the physical evaluation of crude powder. Anti-oxidant in-vitro studies have been performed for the evaluation of any anti-oxidant property which make it a brief description about its pharmacological effects regarding rancidity and provide a description about its further usage in any of anti-oxidant formulation.