Pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigation of Ensete superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman pseudostem

The present study investigates preliminary pharmacognostic, phytochemical and antioxidant property of Ensete Superbum (Roxb.) Cheesman pseudostem. Macroscopical and microscopical features of the pseudostem have been documented. Presence of phytochemicals such as steroids, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavanoids, tannins and sugar were tested by chemical tests and TLC method. Total phenolic and total flavonoid content were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and complementary colorimetric methods (aluminum chloride method and 2, 4-dinitrophenylhydrazine method, respectively). Antioxidant was evaluated by using DPPH free radical scavenging activity, H2O2 and reducing power by FeCl3. Pharmacognostic studies revealed presence of epidermis, hypodermis, vascular bundles, phloem fibres, sclereids ground tissue and stomata. Methanol extract of pseudostem showed highest concentration of phenolics and flavonoids and it also showed significant anti-oxidant activity (P< 0.05) when compared with standard. TLC fingerprint of plant extract is useful in characterisation of plant extract for standardization.