International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research

Authors
S Surya, N Hari

Abstract
Sea Holly Acanthus ebracteatus Vahl. belongs to Acanthaceae family is a medicinal mangrove plant used as astringent, expectorant, and stimulant. Little is documented on this plant. In this study, aim was to investigate morphological, anatomical, phytochemical and molecular characterstics. Anatomy showed xerophytic characters to withstand extreme environmental conditions. Toluene: Ethyl Acetate: Formic acid: Methanol: 7:5:1:0.5 as solvent system is the best solvent system for measuring the establishment of phytochemicals of A. ebracteatus. HPTLC analysis of methanol extract showed twelve peaks and the R_f values ranged in between 0.07 to 0.85 at 254 nm, eight peaks and R_f values ranged in between 0.07 to 0.85 at 366 nm. The molecular markers rbcL and matK regions clearly distinguished. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis confirmed their taxonomic position in Acanthaceae. The study denotes DNA barcoding provides successful and precise strategy for increasing the authenticity of species identification. The barcode sequence also was deposited in NCBI. This is the first scientific information about morphology, chemical and DNA fingerprinting of medicinal mangrove A. ebracteatus for medicinal application.