Qualitative phytochemical and histological evaluation of stem of Premna integrifolia Linn. (Verbenaceae): Standardization of one of traditional ‘Dashmula’- Agnimanth.

P. integrifolia Synonym(s): Premna serratifolia L . (Verbenaceae)  deciduous shrub a member of Brihatpanchamula groups of dashmula, known as Agni-manth, in Sanskrit; malbau in Malaysia, Common beach plant distributed along the coasts and islands of tropical and subtropical Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific. It contains sterols,  flavonoids apigenin, luteolin and alkaloids- Premnine, Ganiarine and Ganikarine.. Advances in microscope technology like Scanning Electron Microscope have increased the accuracy and capabilities of microscopy as a mean of botanical identification. The objective of this work to provide set of SEM histological characters that may serve as standard for identification. That helps for establishment of botanical biomarkers based on the major microscopic features observed in P.integrifolia stem. Secondly physicochemical parameter like moisture content, ash value, extractive value, crude fibre content were evaluated. Phytochemical screening of extracts PI-AK (chloroform extract of P.integrifolia) and PI-ET(Ethyl acetate  extract of P.integrifolia)  were performed. HPTLC fingerprinting of PI-ET extract marked qualitatively with Apigenin and Luteolin simultaneously as standard at Rf 0.39 and 0.29 respectively in mobile phase Toluene: Ethyl acetate :Formic acid (6:4:0.15),scanned at 367nm. Premnine HCl was used for biomarker for fingerprinting of PI-AK extract at Rf 0.59 at 283nm.  Stability of PI-ET in solution and over plate with time was checked shows persistent chromatogram. Stability during chromatography checked with 2D chromatogram shows all zone in diagonal line. This research work focused for Apigenin , Luteolin bioflavonoid   and Premnine HCl alkaloid  as biomarker for standardization of  P.integrifolia  as one of ‘Dashmul’.