Author(s):

KR Sunaja Devi, S Lakshmi Narayana, Palak Menghani and Josna Georgekutty

Abstract: Epiphyllum oxypetalum (DC.) Haw is a widely used medicinal and ornamental plant that belongs to cactus species. It is universally known as Queen of the night, Night blooming Cereus or Lady of the night due to the resemblance of its beautiful flowers to the Lotus and the fact that it blooms at night, much like most other white flowers. The macroscopic and microscopic evaluation was performed along with an analysis of physicochemical and phytochemical properties of the powdered leaves. The arrangement of different cells, vascular bundle, sclerenchyma, pith etc was studied using transverse section analysis. Under ordinary and UV light of short and long wavelength, different colours were observed using fluorescence analysis. Natural bioactive compounds present in the leaves were evaluated using different solvent extracts, which indicated the presence of tannins, alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, sterols, saponins, carbohydrates and proteins. Physicochemical analysis like loss on drying, ash values, water solubility, acid insolubility and pH values helped in the identification and quality control of E. oxypetalum plant extract.

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