Bombax ceiba Linn. is a deciduous tree known as Red silk cotton tree. Bombax ceiba stem, stem bark and prickle are used for the treatment of rheumatism, swellings, asthma and inflammation of the legs. The stem bark of Bombax ceiba is official in the ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends its use in acne. Prickles are also used and recommended in anti-acne marketed formulation. However, limited work was carried out on the prickle toward establishing quality control parameters. Studies were therefore carried out to determine the phytochemical and pharmacognostic profile of prickle of Bombax ceiba Linn. The study, including determination of macroscopic, microscopic characters, ash values, extractive values, loss on drying, phytochemical screening, total phenolic content, TLC and HPTLC fingerprinting were carried out. Successive extracts were prepared using soxhlet extraction. The phytochemical analysis of extracts revealed the presence of tannin, saponin, phenol, carbohydrate, steroids, triterpenoids and flavonoids. Total phenolic and tannin content of methanol extract was found 327.78±1.09mg GAE/gm equivalent and 4.98±0.22%w/w, respectively. The mobile phase showing distinct spots in TLC was found in Toluene: Ethyl acetate (9.5:0.5) and (9:1) for petroleum ether and methanol extracts, respectively. HPTLC fingerprinting shows 8 & 3 peaks at 366nm for petroleum ether and methanol extract, respectively.
Key words: Bombax ceiba Linn.; pharmacognostic; phytochemical; prickle; quality control.
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