ABSTRACT:
Background: Excoecaria agallocha Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) is a small mangrove tree that grows widely in the tidal forests and coastal areas of India. Milky Mangrove is known to have antihyperglycemic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and many other bioactivities. Aim: The present work aims to perform a comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacognostical study of Excoecaria agallocha Linn. Materials and Methods: The Pharmacognostical studies on Excoecaria agallocha including parameters such as morphological evaluation, microscopical evaluation, leaf constants, physicochemical parameters, Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and phytochemical studies were established. Result and Conclusion: Mean ash values (%) were 16.00 (total), 2.75 (acid insoluble), and 13.35 (water soluble). Loss on drying was 0.20%. Microscopy reveals dorsiventral leaf and presence of diacytic stomata in the leaf sample. Quantitative microscopical features such as Stomatal Index, Vein islet number, vein termination number and palisade ratio was determined. The report of TLC indicates presence of Alkaloids and flavonoids. Phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, terpenes, tannins and phenolic compounds. Conclusion: The results of the study can serve as a valuable resource of pharmacognostic and phytochemical information. Further work is needed to isolate, characterize, and quantify active constituents present in the leaves of Excoecaria agallocha Linn. by sophisticated techniques.