Pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical investigation of Ixora coccinea stems

Abstract

Ixora coccinea Linn. is flame of wood belongs to family Rubiaceae. Ixora coccinea has mentioned in Ayurveda as Paranti. It is used in hiccough, fever gonorrhea, anorexia, diarrhoea, dysentery and skin diseases. Present study deals with to establish pharmacognostical and phytochemical standards of Ixora coccinea stems. Microscopical evaluation of Ixora coccinea stems shows the presence of cork, phellogen, medullary rays, xylem vessel, xylem parenchyma, phellogen fibers, cortex colouring matter and starch grains. Results of Ixora coccinea stems yielded 6.24% w/w total moisture content by LOD, 1.72 % w/w total ash; acid insoluble ash not more than 0.05% w/w, water soluble ash not more than 0.95% w/w, alcohol extractive value not more than 11.00 % w/w (Hot extraction), 10.21% w/w (Cold maceration) and water extractive value not more than 11.6% w/w (Hot extraction), 12.00% w/w (Cold maceration). The Phytochemical investigation of extracts of stems of Ixora coccinea shows the presence of sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, tannins, iridoidal, glycosides, proteins and carbohydrate. Pharmaacognostical and phytochemical parameters determined in the present work can serve as major criteria for identity, quality and purity of Ixora coccinea stems and its extracts.