Determination of Physiochemical, Pharmacognostical, and Phytochemical Parameters of Premna herbacea

Herbal drugs were in use from ancient times by nearly all civilizations around the world. Premna herbacea belonging to the genus Premna and family Verbenaceae was one among them. The present chapter aimed to characterize morphological and microscopical characters of the plant were studied. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of ethanol, chloroform, petroleum ether, and aqueous extracts of these plants was done. The results showed a strong presence of triterpenoids and alkaloids with trace amounts of carbohydrates and flavonoids. The physiochemical parameters of the plant were within the limits. Root powder was treated with different reagents and observed for fluorescence under visible light and UV light of short and long wavelength. They exhibited fluorescence.TLC and HPTLC of various extracts of the plant also yielded satisfactory results. Further evaluation needs to be carried out on Premna herbacea to investigate the obscured areas and their practical clinical applications, which can be used for the welfare of mankind.