Variations in the Pharmacognostic properties of Aegle Marmelos found across five geographical locations in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Aegle marmelos (Bale tree), family-Rutaceae is a very important medicinal plant used for the Ayurveda and traditional medical systems. This study is focused on pharmacognostic characteristics of the leaves, stem barks and the root barks of Aegle marmelos (A. maemelos) found in five geographical locations in Sri Lanka. A solvent system containing, Toluene, Ethyl acetate, Formic acid and Methanol was used as mobile phase for the leaves. For stem bark and root bark extracts, Toluene: Ethyl acetate: Chloroform: Hexane: Methanol solvent system was used as the mobile phase. TLC outcomes were developed by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) technique. According to this study moisture values of the selected plant parts were in the range of 7% to 12% and ash values were in the range of 5% to 10%. pH values of the selected plant parts were varied form 5-8. Microscopic view of the root bark and stem bark were observed and tracheid and xylem vessels were detected. One common compound was detected in leaves, stem bark and root bark, and two common compounds were detected in stem bark and root bark from TLC and HPTLC profiles. It was detected that the concentrations of the similar compounds vary with plant part as well with the origin of the plant. These findings can be used for the identification and authentication of A. marmelos plant parts that are used for medicinal purposes and herbal product manufacture. A comparative clinical study is needed to explore the therapeutic efficacy of these parts.