Physicochemical, phytochemical and pharmacognostic evaluation of a halophytic plant, Trianthema portulacastrum L.

Trianthema portulacastrum L. belongs to the family Aizoaceae. It is an important medicinal halophyte, traditionally used to cure many diseases and disorders. It order to ensure authenticity and maintain the therapeutic efficacy of this plant, evaluation of certain quality control parameters for the standardization of this plant was attempted. To achieve this, physicochemical, phytochemical and pharmacognostic studies of this plant was done. For phytochemical analysis, phenols, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, steroids, saponins, triterpenes, coumarins, phlobatanins, etc. were evaluated. For physicochemical analysis, loss on drying, total ash, water soluble, acid insoluble, sulphated, nitrated and carbonated ash were determined.