https://scialert.net Research Journal of Phytochemistry en-us Science Alert Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:11:57 +0200 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:14:14 +0200 RssPublisher 0.2.0 beta https://scialert.net/images/logo.gif https://scialert.net 41 233 Research Journal of Phytochemistry Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Analysis of Stems of Vitex pinnata Linn. Background and Objective: Vitex pinnata Linn. (Syn: Vitex pubescens Vahl.) is a moderately sized tree of tropical Asia. Vitex pinnata is a tree with trifoliate leaves, grey to brown bark. The leaves and stems are potential as an antioxidant, because of flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids constituents. The present study aimed to establish the pharmacognostic features of leaf, stem and powdered stem material and quality parameters including physicochemical evaluation. Materials and Methods: The leave and stems were investigated, which comprised macroscopic and microscopic assessment, phytochemical screening and physicochemical characterization of the stems, besides the microscopic analysis of the powder. All photographs of different magnifications were taken using a digital camera attached to the Nikon Labphot 2 Microscopic Unit. Results: The microscopical studies of stem and powders of Vitex pinnata revealed the presence of cortex, periderm, sclerenchyma, secondary phloem, vessels, xylem fibres, xylem rays, collapsed phloem cells, phellem, sclereids, phloem ray, sieve element, starch grains, prismatic calcium oxalate crystals and vessel elements, etc. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, triterpenes and steroids in the crude extract. The values of the physicochemical parameters such as loss on drying 4.12%, foreign organic matter 5.60%, total Ash 09.43%, acid insoluble ash 2.34%, water-soluble Ash 3.04%, sulphated ash 3.20%, alcohol soluble extractives 15.6% and water-soluble extractives 16.8%, respectively. Conclusion: The information obtained with botanical, physicochemical and phytochemical studies could be used to identify Vitex pinnata and to certify the authenticity of commercial samples to effectively contribute to quality control of that vegetable raw material.]]> https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjphyto.2021.41.50 10 June, 2026 Activity of Terminalia chebula and Erythrina variegata Extracts Against Pathogen Causing Respiratory Tract Infection Background and Objective: Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. As the bacterial resistance towards commercially available antibiotics indicated for microorganisms associated with RTIs is increasing, the need of finding an appropriate alternative antimicrobial agent is also on the rise. Therefore, the present study was executed to explore the antibacterial activity of the acetone extracts of two medicinal plants, Terminalia chebula and Erythrina variegata against antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Materials and Methods: For this study, the presence of S. aureus in the human sputum samples was ensured by growing culture on Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA) and performing a battery of biochemical tests. Culture sensitivity tests were done to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of S. aureus. MAR index of S. aureus isolates was also calculated to determine if they are resistant to more than one antibiotic. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts was determined using a disc diffusion assay. Results: The isolates were found highly resistant to Erythromycin (68.97%) and least resistant towards Chloramphenicol (13.79%). The high MAR index (>0.2) has signified the exposure of S. aureus to multiple antibiotics. Acetone extracts collected from the two plants showed the highest activity at 5 mg mL^–1 among the three different concentrations used (1.25, 2.5 and 5 mg mL^–1) in the study. It was also observed that the extracts from T. chebula exhibited better antibacterial activity than that of E. variegata against S. aureus isolates. Conclusion: T. chebula and E. variegata extracts could be further investigated as potential antibacterial agents to treat respiratory tract infection.]]> https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjphyto.2021.51.57 10 June, 2026 Development and Validation of an HPTLC Method for Estimation of Berberine in Berberis aristata Background and Objective: High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic (HPTLC) is a planner chromatographic technique used for the detection and quantification of natural products. An HPTLC densitometric method was developed and validated for the estimation of berberine in Berberis aristata stem bark accessions from the different sub-Himalayan region in India and Nepal is described. Materials and Methods: Sample preparation involved extraction of the powdered sample with the water-ethanol mixture (30:70 v/v) containing HCl (5%) at 50°C for 6 hrs, followed by filtration and partitioning with equal volumes of chloroform thrice. The organic layer was pooled, dried under reduced pressure and redissolved in methanol for analysis by HPTLC. Ascending development on precoated silica gel G F₂₅₄ plates was carried using toluene-ethyl acetate-formic acid-methanol (9:9:2:3 v/v) as mobile phase. Detection and quantitation of berberine were performed by densitometry at 350 nm. Results: The HPTLC densitometric method was developed and validated as per ICH guidelines for the estimation of berberine in different accessions. The developed method gave well resolved, compact bands of berberine at R_F 0.52±0.11. The berberine content among the accessions from India was highest for Tamil Nadu (12.08±1.16%) followed by Jammu and Kashmir (7.28±0.44%), Uttarakhand (6.98±0.31%) and Himachal Pradesh (5.34±0.23%). The specimens from Nepal contained 8.44±0.73% of berberine. Conclusion: The developed method was found precise, robust and accurate and was successfully used for the detection and quantification of berberine in different accessions.]]> https://scialert.net/abstract/?doi=rjphyto.2021.58.65 10 June, 2026