Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Evaluation of Houttuynia Cordata Thunb., A Folklore Plant Found in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Introduction: Houttuynia cordata Thunb. (family Saururaceae), an indigenous plant to Northeast India and China, is a rhizome-bearing aromatic medicinal herb belonging to the family Saururaceae and is restricted to specialized moist habitats. In the northeastern states of India, locally known as Jaymrdoh, it is traditionally valued for its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties. Despite its therapeutic relevance, systematic pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluations are limited.

Objectives: To perform a preliminary pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of H. cordata leaves and roots for standardization and quality control.

Methods: Houttuynia cordata Thunb. was collected from the herbal garden of NEIAH, Shillong, authenticated by the Botanical Survey of India, and subjected to organoleptic, macroscopic, and powder microscopic analyses. Physicochemical parameters (extractive values, ash values, loss on drying), preliminary phytochemical screening, and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) were performed using standard protocols.

Results: Macroscopic analysis revealed heart-shaped green leaves and brownish irregular roots with fishy odor. Powder microscopy showed lignified vessels, trichomes, calcium oxalate crystals, and starch grains. Hydroalcoholic extracts exhibited higher extractive values in roots (25%) than leaves (9.65%), whereas aqueous extracts were higher in leaves (23%) compared to roots (15%). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, phenolics, and flavonoids in hydroalcoholic extracts, while flavonoids were absent in aqueous extracts. TLC of hydroalcoholic extracts revealed Rf values of 0.46 (leaves) and 0.40 (roots).

Conclusions: The study establishes key pharmacognostical and phytochemical markers for H. cordata, supporting its traditional uses and providing baseline data for future standardization and pharmacological research.