Abstract
Bauhinia variegata (Kanchanar) is an important medicinal plant used in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani systems. The present review deals with the pharmacognostic and phytochemical characteristics of Bauhinia variegata, particularly focusing on the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the leaves and flowers. The pharmacognostic analysis is very important for the identification and authentication of crude drugs and its quality control in the preparation of herbal formulations. The macroscopic analysis includes the characteristic bilobed leaves resembling the shape and size of the camel’s hoof, orchid-shaped flowers, and other important features that distinguish the drug from other closely related species such as Bauhinia purpurea and Bauhinia racemosa. The microscopic analysis includes the diagnostic anatomical features such as the presence of a single layer of epidermis, presence of paracytic stomata, palisade and spongy parenchyma tissue, calcium oxalate crystals, and the well-developed vascular tissue. The powder microscopic analysis includes the presence of important diagnostic features such as the presence of epidermal elements, trichomes, spiral and reticulate vessel elements, and prismatic crystals. The preliminary phytochemical screening of leaf and flower extracts of B. variegata reveals the presence of different bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, glycosides, saponins, terpenoids, sterols, and anthocyanins. These phytochemicals are responsible for different pharmacological properties of medicinal plants, which include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties. Various extraction techniques like maceration, percolation, Soxhlet extraction, decoction, and modern techniques are used to obtain these bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. The pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies of B. variegata provide a scientific basis for the identification, standardization, and therapeutic use of B. variegata in herbal medicine and pharmaceutical research.
Keywords
Bauhinia variegata; Kanchanar; Pharmacognosy; Powder microscopy; Phytochemical screening; Medicinal plants; Leaf and flower morphology; Herbal drug standardization; Flavonoids; Traditional medicine
Introduction
Plants have always been essential to the advancement of human civilization because they provide clothes, food, shelter, andabove all medicine. Due to its numerous therapeutic uses in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, andethno medical traditions throughout Asia, Bauhinia variegata (Kanchanar) stands out among thousands of medicinal plants used historically. The plant's powerful ability to treat ailments like glandular swellings (granthi), thyroid enlargement (galganda), obesity (medoroga), skin disorders (kustha), tumors (arbuda), wounds, and respiratory issues has been mentioned in traditional Ayurvedic writings. The plant's inclusion in the well-known polyherbal composition Kanchanar Guggulu highlights its significance in traditional medicine even further. Due to the shortcomings of synthetic medications, rising antibiotic resistance, the frequency of chronic illnesses, and a worldwide desire for natural treatments with few adverse effects, there has been a notable trend in recent years toward plant-based therapeutic agents. In order to confirm their traditional usage and investigate their potential in contemporary medication development, medicinal plants such as B. variegata are being reevaluated scientifically.B. variegata is a medium-sized deciduous tree in the Fabaceae family that is distinguished by its camel-foot-shaped leaves and lovely orchid-like flowers. [1] Bauhinia purpurea, sometimes called Kovidara or the Purple Orchid Tree, is a significant decorative and medicinal species in the Fabaceae family. The plant is grown for its aesthetic value and is widely utilised in traditional medicine in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, China, Malaysia, and other tropical Asian countries. Ayurveda uses a variety of plant parts, including the bark, leaves, flowers, and pods, to treat glandular swellings, ulcers, fever, skin conditions, tumours, and digestive issues. [2] Bauhinia racemosa Lam., a small deciduous tree in the Fabaceae family, is often referred to as the Bidi Leaf Tree or "Bhojpatra/Ashta-varna." It is extensively found in tropical Southeast Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar. Diarrhoea, dysentery, inflammation, ulcers, tumours, skin conditions, and respiratory issues have all historically been treated with the herb in Ayurveda [3]
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Sakshi Boralkar
Corresponding author
Vidyaniketan College of Pharmacy, Takarkheda More Road, Anjangaon Surji
Maitreyee Pachpor
Co-author
Vidyaniketan College of Pharmacy, Takarkheda More Road, Anjangaon Surji
Gaurav Khupse
Co-author
Vidyaniketan College of Pharmacy, Takarkheda More Road, Anjangaon Surji
Sayali Gawali
Co-author
Vidyaniketan College of Pharmacy, Takarkheda More Road, Anjangaon Surji
Dipali Doifode
Co-author
Department of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, Vidyaniketan College of Pharmacy, Takarkheda More Road Anjangaon Surji
Sakshi Boralkar*, Maitreyee Pachpor, Gaurav Khupse, Sayali Gawali, Dipali Doifode, A Comprehensive Review of Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Profile of Bauhinia Variegata, Int. J. Sci. R. Tech., 2026, 3 (4), 218-229. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19433621
10.5281/zenodo.19433621
