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ABSTRACT

Background: Hastikarna (Leea macrophylla) is an important ethnomedicinal plant used in Ayurveda and tribal medicine, but its pharmacognostic and phytochemical profile requires further scientific validation. This study was undertaken to establish diagnostic and quality-control parameters for the crude drug.

Methods: Plant material was collected from Udaipur, Rajasthan, authenticated, and evaluated through organoleptic, macroscopic, microscopic, powder microscopic, physicochemical, and preliminary phytochemical studies. TLC and HPTLC fingerprinting of the ethanolic root extract were also performed using silica gel G60 F254 and the mobile phase toluene:ethyl acetate:formic acid (6:3.5:0.5).

Results: The root powder showed a coarse texture, brown colour, astringent and slightly bitter taste, and woody-earthy odour. Microscopy revealed a typical tuberous root structure with cork, broad cortex, endodermis, lignified xylem, starch grains, and calcium oxalate crystals. Physicochemical analysis showed total ash 6.28% w/w, acid-insoluble ash 1.26% w/w, water-soluble extractive value 16.85% w/w, alcohol-soluble extractive value 11.25% w/w, loss on drying 6.48% w/w, foreign matter 6.45% w/w, and pH 5.4. Preliminary phytochemical screening indicated the presence of carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, alkaloids, saponins, glycosides, tannins, and phenolic compounds, with solvent-dependent variation. TLC and HPTLC produced distinct fingerprints with four Rf values, supporting chromatographic identity.

Conclusion: The study provides a reliable pharmacognostic baseline for Hastikarna (Leea macrophylla and supports its authentication, standardization, and further phytochemical and pharmacological investigation.

Key Words: Hastikarna, Leea macrophylla, pharmacognosy, phytochemical screening, HPTLC, standardization, medicinal plant.