Phytochemical Screening, Formulation and Evaluation of Leaf Extract of Leucas aspera and Leucas indica by Using Analytical Methods

Kota. Venkata Swapna, Ankala. Gurulakshmi, Gudimallam. Sai Sowmya, Kande.Himabindu Bai, Kokati. Keerthi, Kotakonda. Aswani

Swathi College of Pharmacy, Venkatachalam, Nellore. 524320.

*Correspondence: vswapnayadav19@gmail.com

DOI: https://doi.org/10.71431/IJRPAS.2025.4708   

INTRODUCTION

Based on folklore medicine the plants from the genus Leucas have many kinds of therapeutic activities. India is the country where herbal medicines are popular over allopathic medicines genus Leucas was first described by  Robert brown containing more than 200 species.

Leucas aspera is  known as Thumbai. It is distributed throughout India from the Himalayas down to ceylon. The plant is used traditionally as antipyretic,expectorant,aperient,diaphoretic,insecticidede and emmenagogue. Leaves are considered useful in chronic rheumatism, psoriasis and other chronic skin eruptions. Bruised leaves are applied locally in snake bite.                                    

Leucas aspera is the annual herb found throughout India as a weed in cultivated fields, waste lands and road sides. The plant is widely found in Bangladesh. The juice of leaves are used as remedy for psoriasis, chronic skin eruption and chronic rheumatism. The flowers are given with honey to treat cold and cough in children. Leucas aspera leaves are used as insecticides and mosquito repellent in the rural areas. The plant extract with honey is a good remedy for stomach pain and indigestion. Although numerous studies have shown the medicinal values of Leucas aspera, there still reminds ampliscope for further in depth research. Leucas indica belongs to the family Lamiaceae and is commonly known as Guma, Tumba, Dandokalos. It is distributed all over India along with road side waste land, river banks and rocky hills. It is an erect herb with pubescent branching.

The leaves of this plants are linear lanceolate in nature while the flowers are white with four stamens. Traditionally, used in Garhwal region of Uttarkhand as a wound healer. The leaves of this plants are squeezed and placed on wounds to treat wound healing. Leaves are used as vermifuge, stomach ache, sedatives and sores.

This plants are widely used in the treatment of psoriasis, chronic skin eruptions and painfull. This herbs are used in jaundice, inflammation, asthma, dyspepsia, fever, and cold, snake bites and scorpion stings.

The phytochemicals like phenylethanoid, glycosides were isolated from the aerial parts of Leucas indica having anti-oxidant property. The antimicrobial activity of crude aerial parts of extract of plants was studied, the aerial part extract in chloroform, methanolic fraction showed enough positive results against Stapylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. whereas the aqueous fraction inhibited the growth  of staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella typhi significantly.

                        Leucas aspera                                                                              Leucas indica

MATERIALS REQUIRED:

The aerial parts, leaves and flowers of Leucas aspera and Leucas indica Linn were collected from venkatachalam, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, India, in the month of September to November, 2024. Plant materials were authenticated by faculty of department of pharmacognosy.

Leaves, flowers and other parts of plants are cleaned, shade dried and mechanically grinded for the preparation. This coarse powder was taken separately by sieving and is stored in an air tight container for use. Then material subjected for extraction and preliminary

 Extraction is the first crucial step in preparation of plant formulations. Modern methods of extraction was effective in advancing the development of the traditional herbal remedies. The development of modern sample-preparation techniques with the significant advantages over the conventional methods for the extraction and analysis of medicinal plants. It is likely to play an important role in overall effort of ensuring availability of high-quality herbal products to consumers worldwide. Sample preparation is  almost important to the development of the analytical methods for the analysis of constituents present in the botanicals and herbal preparations.

METHODOLOGY OF LEUCAS ASPERA AND LEUCAS INDICA

Pre-formulation study

Bulk density

Bulk density is  carried out in 100 ml dried measuring cylinder. Pouring of dried granules in measuring cylinder and calculated by using the following formula;

Bulk density = Mass of the granules/Bulk volume of the granules

Tapped density

Tapped density was carried out by pouring of dried granules in 100 ml measuring cylinder.100 tapping was done, note down the volume and calculate by using the following formula;

Tapped density= Granules weight/Volume of tapped granules

Hausner’s ratio

Hausner’s ratio is the ratio of the tapped density of granules to the bulk density of granules. Calculated by using the following formula. The flow property of granules are showed.

Hausner’s ratio= Tapped density/Bulk density

Carr’s index

Carr’s index or compressibility index is determined by the following formula. Table 2 shows the flow property of granules.

1.                  Angle of repose

Angle of repose was determined by using the funnel method. Following formula was used to calculate the angle of repose. Table-2 shows the flow property of granules.

ϴ = Tan-1[h/r]

Where;

h = height of granule cone formed.

r = radius of the granule cone formed.

FORMULATION OF LEUCAS ASPERA AND LEUCAS INDICA

Preparation of dry powder of Leucas aspera and Leucas indica leaves

Collection of fresh leaves of Leucas aspera and Leucas indica from the local area. Clean the leaves by using distilled water. Leaves are dried at room temperature for a few days. The hot air oven is used for the complete drying of leaves. The dried leaves are collected and grind in a mixer to make a fine powder.

Preparation of 1% acacia solution

Take 100 ml distilled water in a beaker. Take 1 gm of acacia powder and mix in 100 ml distilled water. Stir continuously until all powder was mix properly.

Preparation of 1% HPMC-10 solution

Take 100 ml distilled water in a beaker. Take 1 gm of HPMC-10 powder and mix in 100 ml distilled water. Stir continuously to form a jelly-like appearance.

Preparation of 1% sodium alginate solution

Take 100 ml alcohol in a beaker. Add 1 gm of Sodium alginate powder in 100 ml alcohol. Stir properly to mix well.

Formulation of herbal tablets

In this formulation, the dried leaves powder of Leucas aspera and Leucas indica was used to form a tablet dosage form. The formulation was done by following the wet granulation process and further compression by tablet punching machine.

Wet granulation method

Weigh all ingredients accurately, mix well and triturate by using mortar and pestle. The prepared 1% binding agent was added slowly to form a damp mass. Damp mass was transfer through sieve no. 22. Prepared granules are dried at room temperature. The well dried granules are ready for compression.

Compression of formulation ingredients of tablet

Physical evaluation of tablets [11, 12]

The tablets were subjected to the following evaluation tests.

General appearance

The general appearance of the tablets and color of the tablets was found by visual determination.

Weight variation test

The weight variation test was performed by the following procedure.

Weigh 20 tablets individually and consider as X1, X2,X3,…. .X20. Determine the average weight of 20 tablets X= (X1+X2+X3+….+X20)/20. The individual weight of the tablets was compared with the upper limit and lower limit. Not more than two  tablets differs from the average weight by more than the % error listed, and no tablets differ by more than double that percentage

Hardness and thickness test

For each formulation, the hardness and thickness of 20 tablets were determined. Hardness test was determined by Monsanto hardness tester and the thickness of tablets was determined by Vernier Calipers. Results are show’s Friability test

Friability of a tablets can determine in a laboratory by Roche friabilator. The friabilator consist of plastic chamber that rotates from 25rpm, dropping the tablets through a distance of six inches in the friabilator, which is then operated for 100 revolutions. The tablets are reweighed. Compress the tablets then it will be  less than 0.5% to 1.0% of the tablet weight are considered acceptable. Results are shown.

Disintegration time

This test was a time required for the tablet to separate into particles, the disintegration test measure only of the time required under a given set of aconditions for a group of tablets to disintegrate into particles. This test was performed to identify the disintegration of tablet in a specific period of time.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Phytochemical test

All three formulations (F1, F2, and F3) produced round, flat, light green-colored tablets with smooth surfaces and no visible cracks or chips. Tablets exhibited acceptable physical integrity and uniformity.

All batches complied with pharmacopeial limits for weight variation (Not more than 2 tablets differ by >5%, and none by >10% for tablets. F3 showed the highest hardness and slightly more uniform thickness, possibly due to the gel-forming nature of HPMC-10 as a binder. All formulations exhibited friability values <1%, confirming mechanical stability during handling.F1 showed the fastest disintegration, likely due to sodium alginate’s quick hydration. F3 had the slowest disintegration, attributed to the sustained-release property of HPMC.

CONCLUSION

The present study successfully formulated and evaluated herbal tablets using the dried leaf powder of Leucas aspera and Leucas indica. Three different formulations (F1, F2, and F3) were prepared using various natural and semi-synthetic binding agents—sodium alginate, acacia, and HPMC-10, respectively—by employing the wet granulation method followed by direct compression.

The physical evaluation of tablets revealed that all formulations met standard pharmacopeial requirements in terms of weight variation, hardness, friability, and disintegration time. Tablets displayed a uniform general appearance, with no visible cracks, mottling, or capping, suggesting good formulation integrity and mixing technique.

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