Pharmacognostical Studies on Clerodendrum Paniculatum L. Roots

Clerodendrum paniculatum Linn. (Krishnakireedam/ Pagoda flower) of Lamiaceae family is a semi-woody erect, annual or biennial shrub that attains 1-2 m in height. Leaves are simple, opposite, broadly ovate 9-20 cm long, three to seven lobed (lower leaves), apex is acuminate, hairy and petiole up to 30cm long.

The flower resembles a Japanese Pagoda, hence the flower got the name ‘pagoda flower’. Flowers are bright red, odourless and seen in terminal panicles in the axil of leaves. Individual flowers are funnel shaped having long tubes, arranged in massive terminal panicles up to 30 cm or more in height. When it ascends, the number of flowers in panicle reduces and thus changing into the shape of pagoda. Corolla tube is about 1 cm long and orange red to scarlet. Fruits are small globose, with bluish black berries of about 1cm diameter. Pagoda plant is distributed in Asian countries such as India, Sri Lanka, Japan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Taiwan, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Malaysia. It is found growing naturally usually in shady places throughout India [1,2] In India, Japan and China, the plant is traditionally used to treat ulcer, neuralgia, wounds, rheumatism, and inflammation in traditional Thai medicine, this plant is utilized as antipyretic and anti-inflammatory drug [3]. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, this plant is utilized for the treatment of jaundice, wounds, snake bite, body pain and giddiness [4]. The leaves are utilized to treat wounds in Kerala and the roots are used to treat typhoid in Tripura [5-7]. Clerodendrum paniculatum exhibited numerous pharmacological activities like in vivo and in vitro anti-inflammatory activities, antimicrobial activity, antimutagenic activity, antioxidant activity, anthelminthic activity, anticancer activity, hypolipidemic activity, anti-ageing activity and insecticidal activity [8,9]

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Collection and authentication of plant materials

The fresh roots of Clerodendrum paniculatum Linn. was collected from Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District. The plant’s identification and authentication were confirmed by the botanist Dr. Jacob Thomas, Herbarium Curator, PG and Research Department of Botany, Mar Thoma College, Tiruvalla. A voucher specimen was deposited in the Herbarium of PG and Research Department of Botany (No: MTCHT 1052).

Organoleptic and macroscopic studies

Organoleptic characters of fresh root like colour, odour, taste and shape were studied. Macroscopic characters of fresh roots were analyzed utilizing simple microscope [10].

Histological studies

Histological studies of the fresh roots were conducted by taking free hand transverse section. Thin sections were selected, cleared, stained with phloroglucinol and HCl and mounted in glycerin on a glass slide which was utilized for cellular and anatomical studies [11-16].

Powder microscopic studies

Dried root powder was utilized for analyzing powder microscopic characters. Small amount of the powder sample was cleared and thereafter stained with phloroglucinol and HCl. Sample was evenly spread on a glass slide, mounted in glycerin and observed.[11-16].

Fluorescence analysis [11-16]

Fluorescence analysis of root powder was performed using standard methods. Clerodendrum paniculatum Linn. root powder was added  with various neutral, acidic and basic reagent for 5 min and exposed to day light, short wavelength and long wavelength UV light.

Preliminary phytochemical screening

Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of Clerodendrum infortunatum L. stem were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening. Various qualitative chemical tests were conducted to detect the presence of secondary metabolites such as carbohydrates, proteins, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, phenolics, steroids, saponins and flavonoids [11-16]

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

Organoleptic and macroscopic studies

Colour: Earthy brown

Odour: None

Taste  : Bitter

Shape  : Conical, branched

Size     : 1 to 2 cm (w)

             20 cm to 25cm (h)

Fig 1: Clerodendrum paniculatum  L. roots

Histological Studies

Fig 2: T.S of Clerodendrum Panicuatum L. Root

Powder microscopic studies

Powder microscopic studies showed the presence of stone cells, large parenchyma cells, pitted xylem vessels, thin elongated fibres, rhombohedral calcium oxalate crystals, medullary rays, cork cells and wood elements.

a) Parenchyma                              b) Starch grains                       c) Pitted xylem vessels

d) fibres                                  e) stone cells                                       f) calcium oxalate crystals

g) Medullary rays                             h) wood elements                          e) cork

Clerodendrum paniculatum L. root powder was added with acidic, neutral and basic solvents. There after they were exposed to day light, short wavelength and long wavelength UV light.  The results are depicted in table 1.

Alcoholic and aqueous extracts of Clerodendrum paniculatum L. root were subjected to chemical tests for the purpose of identification of various phytoconstituents. The results of the chemical tests were depicted and tabulated in table 2.