Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Evaluation of Curcuma angustifolia roxb. (Rhizome) Indigenous Ethno-Medicinal Plant used by Tribal Soliga Community of Biligirirangana Hills

In India there is an extensive usage of medicinal plants as an herbal drug to treat various kinds of ailments. Traditionally Curcuma angustifolia Roxb. (Rhizome) is used in the treatment of inflammation, cancer, wound healing, diabetes, asthma, fever and anaemia by tribal Soligas of Biligirirangana hills. Therefore the present communication deals with the pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical evaluation of Curcuma angustifolia Roxb. (Rhizome). The pharmacognostical profiles include organoleptic study, microscopy evaluation of the rhizome; powder microscopy; determination of size of fibre and starch; fluorescence analysis and physical parameters like ash value, extractive value, and moisture content of the powdered material. Preliminary Phytochemical screening to detect the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenes, carbohydrates and total phenolics has been done to know the nature of phytoconstituents present in them. The result of the present study is useful in establishing the standards for identification, authentication and evaluation of the plant material. The pharmacognostic study of Curcuma angustifolia Roxb. (Rhizome) has been carried out for the first time which will help in establishing the monograph of the plant.