Pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Angelica archangelica Linn. Dinesh Kumar, Zulfiqar Ali Bhat*, Vijender Kumar, I. A. Chashoo, N. A. Khan, M. Y. Shah Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kashmir-190006 Key words: Angelica Archangelica Linn., Physicochemical parameters, Phytochemical analysis, successive solvent extraction. How to Cite this Paper: Dinesh Kumar, Zulfiqar Ali Bhat, Vijender Kumar, I. A. Chashoo, N. A. Khan, M. Y. Shah “Pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation of Angelica Archangelica Linn.”, Int. J. Drug Dev. & Res., July-Sept 2011, 3(3): 173-188 Copyright © 2010 IJDDR, Zulfiqar Ali Bhat et al. This is an open access paper distributed under the copyright agreement with Serials Publication, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Introduction Peoples of all ages in both developing and undeveloped countries use plants in an attempt to cure various diseases and to get relief from physical sufferings. For centuries, plant and plant products have been used for treating various illnesses. Today, several medicinal plants and their products are still International Journal of Drug Development & Research | July-September 2011 | Vol. 3 | Issue 3 | ISSN 0975-9344 | Available online http://www.ijddr.in Covered in Official Product of Elsevier, The Netherlands ©2010 IJDDR Abstract Ethnopharmacological relevance: Angelica archangelica Linn. is a herb distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Angelica is largely used in grocery trade as well as for medicine. The herb is traditionally used for the treatment of leukoderma, nervous headaches, fever, skin rashes, wounds, rheumatism, toothaches, gastric ulcers, anorexia, migraine, bronchitis, chronic fatigue, menstrual and obstetric complaints and for dental preparation. Aim of the study: Evaluation of preliminary Pharmacognostical and phytochemical parameters of Angelica archangelica Linn. Material and methods: The whole plant material was subjected to successive soxhlet extraction with petroleum ether (40-60 0 C), chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol and finally decocted with water to get respective extracts. Fluorescence characters of powdered material were analysed under ultraviolet light and ordinary light. Different physicochemical parameters such as ash value, extractive value, foaming index, pH values, loss on drying and determination foreign matter were carried out as per WHO guidelines. The total fat, flavonoid and saponin contents were also determined. Results and discussions: Macroscopical studies revealed the authentication of plant drug. Physicochemical parameters helped to standardize the plant material while Preliminary qualitative chemical test of different extracts showed the presence of Glycosides, Carbohydrates, Phytosterols/triterpenoids, Saponins, Fixed oils & Fats and phenols/tannins. Quantification of total flavonoids, saponins and fat contents was also carried out. Conclusion: Results shall pave a way in the standardization of the drug *Corresponding author, Mailing address: Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhat Sr. Asst. Prof. of Pharmacognosy & Phytochemistry, Dept. of Pharmaceutical Sciences University of Kashmir, Srinagar (J & K)-190006 Mob.-09419077701; +919882120308 Email: zabhat2000@gmail.com; sharmadinesh82@gmail.com Article History:------------------------ Date of Submission: 29-04-2011 Date of Acceptance: 04-05-2011 Conflict of Interest: NIL Source of Support: UGC- New Delhi FULL Length Research Paper Covered in Index Copernicus with IC Value 4.68 for 2010 Int. J. Drug Dev. & Res., July-Sept 2011, 3 (3): 173-188 Covered in Scopus & Embase, Elsevier 173