Pharmacognostical and Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of Erythrina indica Linn.

Erythrina indica Linn (Leguminosae), a genus of trees or shrubs, is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of India. The barks are used traditionally as astringent, febrifuge and in leprosy and fever. Scientifically reported activities of Erythrina indica are Analgesic, Antibacterial activity, Anthelmintic Activity, Hypoglycaemic Activity and Diuretic activity. The present study involves Pharmacognosy and preliminary phytochemical investigations of the stem bark of Erythrina indica. This study consisted of the morphological and microscopical study of the plant; the phytochemical screening and testing for alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, steroids and flavonoids; TLC study and HPTLC fingerprinting. The parameters from the above were recorded with an objective of drawing an attention on the plant as well as a reference for further scientific investigations.