Historical analysis of <i>Hippeatrum puniceum</i> (Var) Lam.

Abstract

A histochemical study Hipppeastrum puniceum, a bulbous plant of Family Amaryllidaceae, was performed to screen the plant for the presence of medically important substances that could be responsible for its curative powers. Results of the analyses showed that the leaf reacted positively to tests for presence of aldehydes, alkaloids, amygdalin, and arbutin; the roots tested positive for aldehydes, alkaloids, amygdalin, lecithin, oxalic acid, saponins, and tartaric acid. The bulb had aldehydes, alkaloids, amygdalin, arbutin, lecithin, saponins and tannins. On the other hand, the leaf, root, and bulb yielded negative results in the tests for presence of presence of citric acid, formic acid, lignin, and phytosterol.