Pharmacognostic Standardization and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies of Bupleurum rigidum L.

Abstract

The medicinal plant market knows a large expansion, especially for Asiatic species. Material herb-drug can be subjected to unintentional or intentional adulteration. Bupleurum rigidum is a Chinese medicinal plant used in the treatment of hepatitis and intermittent fever. The species is represented in Algeria, where no study has been carried out to date on its quality control. The present study aimed to investigate their pharmacognostic characteristics. Morphoanatomic studies were performed to record authentication features. Ash content, extractive value, phytochemical composition were evaluated. Bupleurum rigidum revealed a thick root, a branched stem, and lanceolate and ribbonshaped leaves. The herb-drug has a rancid odour and bitter taste. Anatomy was characterised by the presence of secretory canals in all aerial parts. Palisade tissue in the midrib and on both sides of the lamina. The powder analysis showed the presence of epidermis cells with anisocytic stomata. Preliminary phytochemical tests gave strongly positive reactions with triterpenoids and saponins. TLC profile indicated the presence of important spots in the medium frontal ratio zone. Saponins gave a rate of 10% followed by phenols with 5% content. The results gave valuable data to establish the complete monography of the whole plant. The study act as a platform for the identification and development of quality control parameters of the species.