Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical Investigations of Anacardium Occidentale (linn.) Leaves

The present paper attempts to evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical characteristics of Anacardium occidentale (Linn.), belonging to family Anacardiaceae. Anacardium occidentale is a tree native to Brazil and also found in tropical countries like Malaysia and India. The plant is reported to have anti-fungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. However there are no reports for the detailed standardization of leaves. Hence a detailed study of the phytochemical and pharmacognostical parameters has been carried out. The macroscopic, microscopic characteristics of Cashew leaves were identified and physicochemical parameters were studied. Phytochemical tests reveal the presence of carbohydrates, proteins, saponin glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins and phenolic compounds in ethanol and aqueous extract of leaves. TLC analysis was performed in order to obtain a fingerprint and identify various phytoconstituents present in the extracts. TLC of the ethanol extract was developed in the mobile phase of toluene:ethyl acetate:MeOH:formic acid (6:6:1:0.1v/v/v/v) and derivatisation with FeCl3 The study reveals specific identification characteristics for the particular crude drug which will be of significant use in identification and control to adulterations of the raw drug and can serve as a reference for any further investigations. solution revealed the presence of tannins and phenols which gave a bluish black coloration.