PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF CASTOR LEAVES

Abstract

Ricinus communis Linn. is commonly known as Castor. It is a perennial shrub. Castor belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. The oil obtained from the seeds is well known for its medicinal properties. The therapeutic potential of the castor leaves are less known. The leaf juice is a purgative, lactagogue and emmenagogue. In order to introduce castor leaves for its medicament the current study is undertaken. The present investigation deals with the pharmacognostical studies on castor leaves. For Pharmacognostical evaluation macroscopy, microscopy, powder study and histochemical analysis of leaves were performed. Physicochemical constants such as ash and extractive values were determined. The Physicochemical analysis showed ash values 3.3 % in which the acid insoluble ash is 1 % and water soluble is 8%. The preliminary phytochemical studies revealed the presence of saponin, terpenoids, anthraquinone and cardiac glycosides.

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Gopalkrishnan et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF CASTOR LEAVES
Bindu Gopalkrishnan* and Shinvetra Rampally
*Department of Botany, Mithibai College, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai – 56.
ABSTRACT
Ricinus communis Linn. is commonly known as Castor. It is a
perennial shrub. Castor belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae. The oil
obtained from the seeds is well known for its medicinal properties. The
therapeutic potential of the castor leaves are less known. The leaf juice
is a purgative, lactagogue and emmenagogue. In order to introduce
castor leaves for its medicament the current study is undertaken. The
present investigation deals with the pharmacognostical studies on
castor leaves. For Pharmacognostical evaluation macroscopy,
microscopy, powder study and histochemical analysis of leaves were
performed. Physicochemical constants such as ash and extractive
values were determined. The Physicochemical analysis showed ash
values 3.3 % in which the acid insoluble ash is 1 % and water soluble is 8%. The preliminary
phytochemical studies revealed the presence of saponin, terpenoids, anthraquinone and
cardiac glycosides.
KEYWORDS: Ricinus communis, Castor, Euphorbiaceae, pharmacognosy.
INTRODUCTION
Castor is botanically named as Ricinus communis Linn. belongs to family Euphorbiaceae. It
is also known as ‘Eranda’ in Sanskrit.[1] The plant is a tall, stout and glaucous perennial
shrub. The plant is a native of Africa. It is extensively cultivated for its oil bearing seeds. It
has become naturalized in many parts of India. The castor oil and its uses are well known to
all, but the use of leaves as medicine is less known. The leaf juice is given as an emetic in
narcotic poisoning. The decoction of leaves is a purgative, lactagogue and emmenagogue.[2]
A poultice of the leaves is applied to boils and swellings. The hot leaves are applied over the
abdomen of children to relieve flatulence. In women the leaves promote menstrual flow.
Tender leaves cure pain in bladder.[3] Leaves are also recommended to relieve headache and
WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
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Volume 4, Issue 11, 1260-1266 Research Article ISSN 2278 – 4357
Article Received on
09 Sept 2015,
Revised on 29 Sept 2015,
Accepted on 22 Oct 2015
*Correspondence for
Author
Dr. Bindu Gopalkrishnan
Department of Botany,
Mithibai College, Vile
Parle (West), Mumbai - 56
India.

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Gopalkrishnan et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
joint pains.[4,5,6] The castor seeds are studied for its pharmacognosy but, there are no reports
on leaves of the said plant. The present study was therefore undertaken to put forth the
pharmacopeial standards for the Castor leaves. Fig. 1
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Procurement of Plant material
Authentic leaf samples of Ricinus communis Linn.were collected from Bhavans College
Campus, Andheri with prior permission. The sample was authenticated for its botanical
identity with the help of Dr. Suchandra Datta. A voucher specimen has been deposited in
Botany Research Laboratory of Mithibai College, Thane, Mumbai, India (MIT 0056).
Processing of Plant material
The fresh leaves of Ricinus communis Linn.was used for macroscopic and microscopic
studies. The leaves were subjected to artificial drying at 40°C. They were ground into powder
which was found to be moderately coarse as seivable through mesh no. 710 with 0.710 mm
size of aperture. The coarse powder was subjected to powder microscopy, physicochemical
parameters and preliminary phytochemical screening.
Macroscopy
A systematic examination of the shape, size, surface, texture, colour, taste and odour of the
leaves of Ricinus communis was carried out. The external features of leaves were observed
using dissecting microscope.[7, 8, 9]
Microscopy
Transverse hand cut sections of authenticated samples were taken and made permanent with
suitable stains. For the measurement of cell contents like, starch grains, vessels, calcium
oxalate crystals, stomata etc. occular and stage micrometer were used. Photographs were
taken using Motic microscope.[10,11,12,13]
Histochemical studies
The histochemical studies for the cell contents were performed as per the standard
methodology of Krishnamurty.[14]
Powder microscopic study
The powdered drugs were soaked in aqueous solution of chloral hydrate and mounted in 50%
glycerin for microscopical studies. Photographs were taken.[15]

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Physicochemical parameters
The determination of various physicochemical parameters such as total ash, acid insoluble
ash and water soluble ash; water and alcohol extractive values were determined and estimated
in percentage using the method recommended by Indian Pharmacopoeia.[16, 17]
Preliminary Phytochemical screening
For the preliminary phytochemical screening a known quantity of dried powder was extracted
with alcohol and water. These extracts were tested for different constituents like saponins,
triterpenoids, glycosides etc. [18, 19]
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Macroscopic studies
The castor leaves are petiolate, alternate, large, palmately lobed, lobes 7-8, serrate margin and
reticulate venation. The upper surface of leaf is dark green while the lower surface is light
green in colour. It measures 22-23.2-24.5-25cm in length and 11-12.2- 15.1-16.5cm in
breadth. It is brittle in fracture, odourless and bitter in taste. Figs. 2.
Microscopic studies: T.S of mature leaf shows.
Lamina region: It consists of upper and lower epidermis. They are covered with thin cuticle
and interrupted with stomata and uniserriate trichomes. Each epidermal cell is tangentially
elongated. The mesophyll region shows presence of elongated closely packed palisade cells
filled with chloroplast. The palisade cells are single layered below the upper epidermis but
are three layered close to the midrib region. It is followed by three layers of polygonal
chlorenchymatous spongy tissues. Poorly developed vascular bundles are observed within the
mesophyll region.
Midrib region: This region shows upper and lower epidermis similar to that of lamina. The
collenchyma cells of 7-8 layers are observed just below the upper epidermis while it forms 2-
3 layers above the lower epidermis. The collenchyma cells at the lower region are interrupted
with oil ducts at intervals. The collenchyma cells are followed by polygonal parenchyma
cells. It is filled with starch grains, few tannin filled cells and spharaphide type of calcium
oxalate crystals. The large vascular bundle is semicircular with a small vascular bundle at the
upper side facing the larger one. The vascular bundle consists of xylem facing towards the
upper epidermis and phloem downward. Figs. 3-6

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The upper and lower epidermis of castor leaves shows, the presence of paracytic stomata.
Fig.7,8
Histochemistry
The histochemical analysis using various reagents showed the presence of primary and
secondary metabolites like starch, lipids, proteins, tannins, saponins, glucosides and calcium
oxalate crystals respectively.
Powder study
Microscopic examination of powder shows the presence of paracytic stomata, palisade tissue,
collenchymas cells, parenchyma cell, tannin filled cell, fibers, starch grains, calcium oxalate
crystals, oil globules and trichomes Figs,9,10,11.
Physicochemical parameters of Ricinus communis Leaves
Table 1: Ash values.
Table 2. Extractive values
Table 3: Preliminary phytochemical screening Ricinus communis Leaves
+ Present, - Absent
Ash values
Values in %
Total ash
Acid insoluble ash
Water soluble ash
Not more than 3.3%
Not more than 1 %
Not more than 8%
Extractive values
Values in %
Water soluble extractive value
Alcohol soluble extractive value
Not less than 7 %
Not less than 1.6 %
Test for phytoconstituents
Water
extract
Ethanol
extract
Test for Starch
Test for Terpenoids
Test for Proteins
Test for Mucilage
Test for Alkaloids
Test for Anthraquinone glycoside
Test for Cardiac glycoside
Test for Saponin
Test for Tannins
Test for Steroids
Test for Flavonoids
Test for phenols
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
-
+
+
+
+

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Fig 1: Habit of Ricinus communis Fig 2: A-Upper & B-Lower surface of leaf
Fig 3; T.S. of leaf showing upper portion Fig 4; T.S. of leaf passing through
of mid rib mid rib
Fig 5; T.S. of leaf passing showing lower Fig 6; T.S. of leaf passing through
portion of mid rib lamina
[pa-parenchyma cells; t-tannin filled cell; col-collenchyma cell; ca-calcium oxalate
crystal; x-xylem; phl-phloem; pal-pallisade tissue; sp-spongy tissue; lwe-lower
epidermis, upe-upper epidermis; od-oil duct]

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Fig7; upper epidermis showing stomata Fig8; lower epidermis showing stomata
Fig 9 - 11: Powder study of Castor leaves; Fig 9: Paracytic stomata; Fig 10: starch
grain, trichome; Fig 11: annular vessel
CONCLUSION
The seed oil of Ricinus communis is a traditionally used and potent medicinal plant. The
leaves of Castor too have medicinal properties. The current investigation is based on leaf
macroscopy, microscopy, histochemistry, powder study, physicochemical parameters and
preliminary phytochemical analysis. Macroscopic and microscopic study was carried out for
identification of the plant. The authenticity of the crude drug could be equally judged by
these physicochemical constants providing a reliable aid for detecting the adulteration. Ash
values are used to determine quality and purity of drug. The extractive values are useful to
evaluate the chemical constituents present in crude drugs and also help in estimation of
specific constituents soluble in particular solvent. Histochemical and preliminary
phytochemical analysis is useful in determining the chemical constituents present in the said
plant drug. The detailed phytochemistry and pharmacological studies need to be further
carried out in order to prove the therapeutic uses of Castor leaves.

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