Development of Pharmacognostic Profile and Preliminary Phytochemical Study of Pluchea wallichiana DC

Introduction: The genus Pluchea comprises of around 80 species native to tropical and warm temperate areas. It has been traditionally known as rasna and used to treat different ailments including inflammation and arthritis. One of the species of Pluchea, Pluchea wallichiana DC (Family: Asteraceae), commonly known as wallich camphor weeds. Aim and Objectives: The present study aims to develop pharmacognostic profile, set the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of phytochemicals present in leaf, stem and root parts of plant and determine antioxidant potential. Materials and Methods: The plant profile development includes authentication, macro- microscopical, physico-chemical, and chromatographic evaluation of root, stem and leaf of the plant. The presence of essential minerals in the plant was confirmed using ICP-MS. The DPPH technique was used to assess the antioxidant potential. Results: P. wallichiana is an erect branched shrub with camphoraceous, green, alternate, broadly obovate and sessile leaves and white compound corymb flowers. The stems are circular and green, and the tap root is branched, cylindrical and brownish in color. Microscopy of leaf, stem and root has demonstrated clear anatomical features. The phytochemical screening unveils the presence of steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins, and coumarins. The HPTLC fingerprinting profile was developed from the mentioned plant parts. The leaf expressed higher percentage of phenolics, flavonoids and steroids as compared to root and stem. ICP-MS analysis demonstrated presence of calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron present as a mineral in leaves. The concentration of leaf methanol extract required to inhibit 50% of DPPH free radicals was 29.49 µg/mL. Conclusion: The developed pharmacognostic and phytochemical parameters may help to establish standards for identification, quality, and purity of Pluchea wallichiana DC.