Pharmacognostic Standardization and HPTLC Fingerprinting of Prosopis cineraria; An Ayurveda Mentioned Plant

Background: Prosopis cineraria (P. cineraria) is an important mythological plant, popular in several indigenous systems of medicine including ayurveda, sidda and unani. Traditionally this plant is used for various ailments including stress, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, asthma, hypertension etc. Object: In the present study, micro and macroscopic characters of fresh and dried leaves were analyzed and physiochemical parameters, quantitave microscopy and phytochemical screening were done by using WHO guidelines. Anti-oxidant activity has assessed using the DPPH method. HPTLC detection has been done to detect lupeol and urosolic acid and to quantify their relative levels. Result: Microscopy of the leaves showed the presence of various parameters including different type of trichomes, the presence of stomata, calcium oxalate crystals, veins and epidermis. Total ash value, water soluble ash, acid soluble ash, water soluble extract, alcohol soluble extract, loss on drying, swelling index and foaming index were found to be 3.1±0.55, 2.1±0.43, 0.6±0.01 38.0±0.15, 37.8±1.50, 12.8±0.22, 1.4±0.02 and less than 100 respectively. Phytochemical analysis of different extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, phenolic compounds etc. The IC₅₀ values found to be 2.63 and 12.1for the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of P. cineraria respectively. HPTLC analysis showed the presence of both of the standards, the amount of lupeol was found to be 0.02% and 0.017% for each extract respectively. Conclusion: The data generated would be useful for the preparation of monograph of the plant as no such work reported yet.