Pharmacognostic and Hptlc Studies on Colocasia Esculenta Leaves

Colocasia esculenta is a traditional crop (Family Araceae), also known as Arvi & Ghuiya. It is a herbaceous perennial plant cultivated as annuals. The large green leaves are often described as ?elephant?s ear?. Leaves contain calcium oxalate, fibers, minerals (calcium, phosphorus, etc.) and starch, vitamin A, B, C, thiamine, Gallic acid, Quercetin and ?-sitosterol. Traditionally, Leaf juice is stimulant, expectorant, astringent, otalgia and applied over scorpion sting or snake bite. Petiole juice is used as, ear ache, otorrhoea, and stimulant, rubefacient. Juice of corm is used in alopecia, hepatic ailment. Internally, acts as laxative, demulcent, anodyne, galactogogue, piles, and asthmatic. Ayurveda identified ailments viz Vata and Pitta are supposed to be pacified by the leaf juice and also the constipation, stomatitis, alopecia. Extracts from this plant have been found to possess various pharmacological activities as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, neuropharmacological activity, anthelmintic activity, anti- hepatotoxic activity. However, HPTLC work on Colocasia esculenta has not yet been reported.