Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical Investigation of Salvadora persica Linn (Salvadoraceae)

Salvadora persica linn. (Salvadoraceae), a desert plant, also known as toothbrush tree or Miswak is used as tooth cleaning stick in many third world countries. The aqueous and alcoholic extracts of ischolar_mains, leaves, bark and pulp of Salvadora persica linn have been found to have antimicrobial, anti-plaque, analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidant and antiulcer activity. Since the plant is not much explored pharmacognistically and phytochemically, the present work is planned to study the pharmacognostic, phytochemical and chromatographic behavior and to establish the monograph of the plant.

Microscopy of stem showed well defined single layered quadrangular celled epidermis, 7 to 8 layers of cellular cortex embedded into which are bunches of lignified pericyclic fibers and cocentric vascular bundle, Medullary rays and pith. Powder showed presence of epidermis, bordered and pitted xylem vessels, reticulate xylem parenchyma and lignified pericyclic fibers etc

The proximate analysis showed satisfactory results with respect to foreign matter, moisture content and ash values. The water soluble extractive value was found to be the highest (25.4%), whereas alcohol soluble extractive, chloroform soluble extractive and ether soluble extractive values were found as 7.6%, 6% and 3.6% respectively.

The phytochemical investigation of the stem of Salvadora persica, showed presence of Alkaloids, Glycosides, Flavonoids, Carobohydrates, Tannins and Saponins, in the aqueous extract. The ethanolic extract of the stem showed presence of Glycosides, Steroids and Flavonoids whereas Acetone extract showed presence of Steroids and Flavnoids which were confirmed by the Thin Layer Chromatography. Chloroform and ethereal extract failed to show the presence of any phytoconstituents.