Pharmacognostical evaluation of indigenous herbal drug: Carissa carandas Linn. fruit

Carissa carandas Linn. (Family: Apocynaceae), commonly called Karonda in the northern region of India. In the present work, the organoleptic, anatomy profiles and antiradical activity of C. carandas fruits, as these parameters are concerned with benefit approaches in Indian medicinal plants for the standardization of crude drugs. It is widely used for edible purposes in the northern regions of India in the form of pickles and curry. The essential parameters used up for the pharmacognosy of given fruit were macroscopical study, histochemical evaluation, including transverse section, powder analysis, preliminary phytochemical and fluorescence analysis. The total phenolic and total flavonoid contents in C. carandas fruit were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu method and Aluminium chloride colorimetric assay. The organoleptic and macroscopic profiles of fruit revealed the presence of petiole, the smooth outer surface, green color with a sour taste. The histochemical evaluation showed the presence of pericarp and endosperm. Sclereids, oil globules, calcium oxalate crystals and sclerenchymatous cells found in the fruit section. Alkaloids, saponin glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, and phenolic compounds, fats, and oils, volatile oils, carbohydrates, gums, mucilage, and reducing sugars were present. The physicochemical evaluation such as moisture content, ash value, extractive value, foreign matter, and fluorescence analysis were performed and recorded. The fruit extracts of plant showed the presence of phenolic and flavonoid content. Data obtained used as a standard for future aspects. The current report on pharmacognostic, preliminary physicochemical analysis provides an important diagnostic tool and evidence in correct identification, and even standardization of crude drug.