Powder Microscopy, Fluorescence, Qualitative Phytochemistry, and GC- MS analysis of a Neglected Ethnomedicinal Weed - Ruellia brittoniana Leonard

Ruellia brittoniana is a common wild ethnomedicinal plant belonging to the Acanthaceae family. The plant was claimed ethnically wound-healing properties, use as an antidote against snake bites and to cure bone fractures. However, these claims are not been validated. The present study deals with powder microscopy, fluorescence, and qualitative phytochemical analysis of the leaves, stem, and root of this plant. The powdered microscopy showed the presence of both types of trichomes and spiral elements. The Fluorescence analysis under visible and ultra-violet light for leaves, stems and root powder treated with various chemical reagents revealed different patterns of fluorescence effect. The qualitative phytochemical study showed that the plant is rich in phytochemicals and possesses significant levels of Glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, and saponins. The availability of these groups of Phyto- components indicates that the plant could prove an alternative remedy to cure asthma, fever, bronchitis, high blood pressure, eczema, and diabetes. Further, the GC-MS analysis revealed the 10 phytochemical compounds have significant medicinal potential. The major objective of this study is to endorse this plant as a step toward commercial drug developments after confirming and standardizing its microscopic features and fluorescence behavior to identify adulteration in market-available crude drug powder and screening for possible drug molecules.