Preliminary phytochemical and physicochemical investigation of Woodfordia fruticosa (linn) kurz root

Abstract

Introduction: The objective is to investigate the preliminary phytochemical and physicochemical properties of Woodfordia fruticosa Kurz roots. W. fruticosa, commonly called as Dhavi, is a large beautiful tree, about 10 ft long, belongs to the family Lythraceae. These studies were performed because, before any experimental and clinical trial, phytoconstituents present in the plant should be known. Material and Methods: The root of W. Fruticosa contains protein, fixed oil, glycoside, carbohydrate, terpenoid, steroid, tannin, and saponin. The physiochemical analysis of W. fruticosaroot was also performed which includes ash value, loss on drying and extractive value determination. Result and Discussion: Total ash value, acid-insoluble ash, and water-soluble ash value were 6.5 % w/w, 2 % w/w, and 0.5 % w/w. Loss on drying was 4.4 % w/w, and extractive value was 3.4 % w/v in water and 6.4 % w/v in ethanol. Conclusion: This study revealed that these parameters will be useful in the identification and quality control of the genuine plant material or crude drug.