Pharmacognostic and pharmacological perspectives of Leea macrophyla roxb.

The proposed work on Leea macrophyla Roxb (family: Leeaceae) is mainly focused on two different streams, first towards the pharmacognostic profile and second on pharmacological evaluation. The pharmacognostic profile involves the study of both macroscopy and microscopy of leaf, stem, and tuberous roots. Secondly, extract of adventitious tuberous roots of the plant was used for pharmacological screening of anti-inflammatory (in-vivo), antimicrobial (in-vitro), and antioxidant (in-vitro) potential. Morphologically, it is observed that L. macrophyla is an herb with erect stem, broadly ovate leaf with greenish-white inflorescence. Microscopically, the leaf can be characterized by anisocytic stomata, calcium oxalate crystals, and the absence of trichomes. The typical characteristics of the stem include outer thick ridges, secondary phloem, medullary rays, and pith. The rhizomes contain the outer epidermis is replaced with dark crushed cells, central pith, and disintegrated parenchymatous cells.The extract exhibited excellent anti-inflammatory potency in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. Antimicrobial activity was involved cup plate technique against gram-positive, gram-negative, and fungal organisms. The study observed good inhibitory activity against S. aureus (15 ± 0.15 mm), B. subtilis (14 ± 0.13 mm), and E.coli (15 ± 0.16 mm). 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging method was used to explore antioxidant potential against ascorbic acid as standard. The IC50 values obtained from the antioxidant potency were observed to be 18 ± 0.33, 12 ± 0.66% for DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging assay respectively. As L. macrophyla with assumption on the traditional curative assurance, it shows significant anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant potency.