Medicinal plants have long been integral to human health, serving as treatments for various ailments worldwide. Plants are prolific sources of bioactive compounds, making them valuable for developing new medicines. Pongamia pinnata Linn. Pierre (Fabaceae), known as karanj or poonga oil tree, is a medium-sized, fast-growing leguminous tree, mainly native to hot arid regions of Asia, and commercially cultivated in India. This tree is rich in compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, karangin, glabrin, kanugin, and fixed oils, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antifungal, and anti-diarrheal activities.
Traditional uses of Millettia species include antibacterial, anti-tumor, insecticidal, antispasmodic, and pesticidal applications. The seeds are notable for containing 28–34% oil with high polyunsaturated fatty acids, making them a potential biodiesel source.
TAXONOMY
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Order: Fabales
- Family: Fabaceae
- Subfamily: Faboideae
- Genus: Millettia
- Species: M. pinnata
MEDICINAL USES
- Acts as a laxative to relieve constipation.
- Treats piles and bleeding disorders.
- Juice of leaves helps with coughs, colds, leprosy, and diarrhea.
- Used for abdominal ulcers and tumors.
- Possesses antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Roots and bark alleviate joint pain.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sample Collection:
Fresh Millettia pinnata leaves were collected from Arogyadham Ayurved Sadan, Chitrakoot, Satna, M.P. The plant was authenticated by Dr. Manoj Tripathi. Leaves were washed, shade-dried, powdered, and stored in airtight containers.
Materials:
Tables of glassware, instruments, and reagents used (Table-1 )
| Glass ware | Instrument | Regent |
| Conical flask | Water bath | Lead acetone solution |
| Funnel | Weighting machine | Benedict solution |
| Glass rod | Hot air oven | Dragendroff’s reagent |
| Petri dish | Heating mental | Hager’s reagent |
| Pipette | Brush | Wagner’s reagent |
| measuring calendar | Desiccators | Molish’s reagent |
| Iodine flask | Filter paper | Cuso4. 5H2o |
| Test tube | Mixer grinder | Fecl3 solution |
| Dropper | Spatula | Nahco3 |
| Beaker | Sleave | Distilled Water |
| Crucible | Tray dryer | Hydrochloric acid |
| Reagent bottle | Grinder machine | Feric chloride |
| Capillary tube | Reprostar | Methanol |
| China dish | HPTLC | Folin’s reagent |
| Pipettes | Linomat | Acetone |
PHYSICOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
- Moisture Content (Loss on Drying): Measured at 105°C using standard oven-drying techniques.
- Extractive Values: Determined in water, methanol, ethanol, benzene, acetone, and chloroform solvents via maceration, followed by solvent evaporation and weighing residues.
- Ash Values: Total ash and acid-insoluble ash measured per standard procedures to assess purity.
PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
Tests were conducted on extracts for the presence of:
- Alkaloids: Mayer’s, Wagner’s, and Dragendorff’s tests.
- Carbohydrates: Fehling’s and Benedict’s tests.
- Resins, Saponins, Flavonoids, Tannins, Phenols, Cardiac Glycosides, Proteins: Standard qualitative assays detailed in your text.
HPTLC FINGERPRINTING
- Test solutions were prepared by macerating 5 g of powdered leaves in methanol, followed by filtration.
- Plates: Silica Gel 60 F254.
- Mobile phase: Toluene:ethyl acetate:formic acid (7:3:0.5).
- Samples were applied in 7 µL bands, developed to 8.9 cm, and visualized at 254 nm and 366 nm (before and after derivatization) with methanolic H₂SO₄ as the derivatization reagent.
- Chromatograms were documented (Figures and Rf values as presented in your original figures and tables).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Loss on Drying (LOD): Average LOD values were 5.08% and 5.575% across samples.
- Extractive Values:
- Water-soluble: 21.6% & 20.05%
- Methanol-soluble: 18.55% & 18.75%
- Ethanol-soluble: 7.45% & 7.9%
- Benzene-soluble: 5.05% & 5.6%
- Acetone-soluble: 7.4% & 7.6%
- Chloroform-soluble: 6.95% & 7.05%
- Ash Content:
- Total ash: 9.82% & 9.85%
- Acid-insoluble ash: 2.92% & 2.58%
- Phytochemical Tests: Confirmed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins (in water extract only), tannins, resins, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds (in all except methanol extract), cardiac glycosides (in benzene, acetone, chloroform extracts), and proteins (only in water extract).
- HPTLC Analysis:
- Detected multiple Rf spots at 254 nm, 366 nm before, and 366 nm after derivatization, indicating a diverse phytochemical profile (refer to your original tables and figures for detailed Rf values).
CONCLUSION
This study confirmed the rich presence of diverse bioactive phytochemicals in Millettia pinnata leaves, supporting their traditional medicinal uses. HPTLC fingerprinting provides a robust tool for standardization and quality control of plant materials. The presence of phenolics and flavonoids further suggests strong antioxidant potential, paving the way for future development of therapeutic agents based on karanj.
Reference
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