Pharmacognostic characterization and antibacterial activity of Brugmansia suaveolens (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Bercht. & J. Presl leaves: A traditional Himalayan medicinal plant

BACKGROUND: Brugmansia suaveolens (Humb. family Solanaceae) is one of the total seven species of Brugmansia which is commonly known as angel’s trumpet. It has analgesic, antinociceptive, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiasthmatic, and various other activities. Despite its numerous medicinal properties, it has never been explored for its potential against bacterial species; also, no publication has been made on pharmacognostical characterization and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) investigation of its leaves. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to evaluate the pharmacognostical, physicochemical, HPTLC profiles of B. suaveolens leaves along with the assessment of in-vitro antibacterial activity of its various fractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: B. suaveolens collected from sub-Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, India was authenticated and then studied for various pharmacognostic and physicochemical parameters employing proper quality control methods for medicinal plant materials designed by the WHO. Extracts and fractions of air-dried coarse plant powder were prepared and were identified for the presence of various classes of compounds using preliminary phytochemical screening. HPTLC profile for quantitative evaluation of atropine in leaves of B. suaveolens was carried out and lastly, fractions were assessed for antibacterial activity by using disc diffusion method against chloramphenicol as standard. RESULTS: Transverse section, powder microscopy, leaf constants, and physicochemical parameters revealed valuable data to set up standards for the plant. Alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, and carbohydrates were found to be present. HPTLC showed 7.79–13.20%w/w of atropine in the plant. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fraction showed encouraging results against four strains of Gram-negative bacteria with good zone of inhibitions. CONCLUSION: The present study provides referential information for identification, authentication, and standardization of this highly important crude drug.