In vitro studies on quality assessment and ethnobotany of Acampe rigida (Buch.-Ham. ex Sm.) P.F.Hunt encountered in Ultapani Forest Range, Assam

Abstract

Acampe rigida (Buch.-Ham.ex Sm.) P.F.Hunt (Family: Orchidaceae), locally known as ‘Miral Baha’ among the Santhal community of Ultapani Forest Range, BTR, Assam, blooms in the month of July to November. The present study was aimed to carry out the ethnobotanical studies, macroscopic, pharmacognostic, preliminary phytochemical and heavy metal analysis of A. rigida. Apart from being an eye-catching ornamental plant, it has a number of medicinal potentialities as folk medicine among the Santhal community where the leaves are used for recovering throat cancer and epilepsy and the paste helps in relieving rheumatism, healing wound as tonic to strengthen the body and increase blood in the body. Parenchyma cells, stomata, fibre were observed in the microscopic examination of powdered plant part. The pulverised leaves colour, odour, flavor/taste and texture were all satisfactory. Preliminary phytochemical screening of A. rigida leaves aqueous extract confirmed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, steroids, saponins, tannins, terpenoids, whereas phlobatannins was absent. Heavy metal tests revealed that the samples were free from bismuth, cadmium and lead. The present studies might be significant to establish the pharmacognostic and phytochemical standards of this orchid species and may help in the identification, to ensure quality and purity and standardization of the herbal drug.