Physicochemical analysis

Standardization of medicinal plants is an important step as it determines the identity and quality of a plant. The aim of present study was to standardize Polygonum glabrum by evaluating physicochemical parameters. Successive extraction, phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography analysis were studied to detect the presence of various phytoconstituents. Physicochemical parameters such as loss on drying, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble extractive and alcohol soluble extractive values were found to be 06.7±1.19%w/w, 15.52±0.28%w/w, 4.65±0.02%w/w, 20.05±1.07%w/w and 13.66±0.20%w/w, respectively. In phytochemical screening, petroleum ether extract revealed the presence of steroids, tannins and saponins whereas chloroform extract confirmed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and carbohydrates. Ethylacetate extract showed the presence of phenolic compounds, steroids, proteins and glycosides. Further, major constituents like alkaloids, sugars, phenols, proteins, steroids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids were present in methanol extract. In addition, thin layer chromatography analysis supports the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids and flavonoids in petroleum ether, chloroform and methanol extracts, respectively.  It can be concluded that the standardization parameters investigated in this study could assist in safe, accurately collection, handling of crude materials, ensure efficacy and stability of ended product. Further, the major active constituents were identified in different extracts of Polygonum glabrum