A Concise Study of Pharmacognostic and Antioxidant Potential of Stem bark from Bauhinia variegata Linn.

Bauhinia variegate (Family: Fabaceae), commonly known as Kanchnar is well-known medicinal plant used from the ancient era to till date for their medicinal values. The aim of the present study was to investigate efficiency of different solvent extracts from stem bark of B. variegata Linn. for its in vitro antioxidant activity. The evaluation was carried out in terms of pharmacognostical, physicochemical and phytochemical details of the stem bark of B. variegata which are useful in laying down standardization and pharmacopoeia parameters. The microscopic studies of transverse section were performed by double staining method. Powder characteristic of bark powder were performed as per official method. Physicochemical parameters were studied as described in Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. Phytochemical screenings of different solvent extracts were studied by standard methods prescribed in official text books. Antioxidant potential of different solvent extracts of B. variegata bark was studied by ABTS radical scavenging capacity assay and ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) assay. Microscopic study reveals the structure of bark at cellular level. Physicochemical studies such as loss on drying, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, etc. were established to standardize the bark. The result of antioxidant potential was found in order from higher to lower level as methanol, hydro-alcoholic, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and n-hexane extracts of stem bark of B. variegata. Further studies warranted to identify the exact phytochemical responsible for antioxidant activity and its mechanism.