Pharmacognostical and Physicochemical properties of Hypericum oblongifolium from Himalayan region of Uttarakhand

Hypericum oblongifolium leaves have been used as traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. There is no specific report about the pharmacognosy and phytochemical study with this plant grown in Kumaun region of Uttarakhand. The main aim of this research work is to establish pharmacognostic parameters and phytochemical study of H. oblongifolium leaves. This plant has been used as a traditional medicine in various parts of the world to treat various diseases. In this study, pharmacognostical and phytochemical study of plant material was performed according to WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines. Powder microscopy of H. oblongifolium leaves showed beaded epidermis, and star shaped fibres as specific structures. Physicochemical parameters included moisture content (0.34 % w/w), total ash (5.63 % w/w), acid-insoluble ash (1.397 % w/w), water soluble ash (4.241 % w/w), water-soluble extractive (8.7 % w/w) and alcohol-soluble extractive (8.2 % w/w). Phytochemical screening of ethanol extract showed presence of tannin, flavonoid, alkaloid, carbohydrate, glycoside and phenols; amino acid, protein and steroids were absent. Therefore, the evaluation of pharmacognostic and phytochemical parameters of H. oblongifolium provides information about the correct identification, and quality of the plant which is required for the collection of correct species.