LAUSR

The present study was aimed to investigate the pharmacognostical and microscopical studies of Exacum bicolor Roxb. (Gentianaceae) collected from various parts of Kannur and Kasargod district, Kerala. It is a perennial herb with attractive flowers, most of the Exacum species distinguished by limited and local distribution. The moisture content, ash value, extractive value, foaming index, swelling and foreign matter of the whole plant along with the successive solvent extraction, preliminary phytochemical screening, qualitative phytochemical screening such as total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, total alkaloidal content and saponin content of Exacum bicolor Roxb.. The extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, carbohydrates, phenolics and flavonoids. The methanolic extract showed the highest amount of total phenolic content and flavonoid content and chloroform extract contains more alkaloid compared to other extracts.