A Comparison of the Pharmacognostic, Nutritional, and Phytochemical Parameters of Moringa Concanensis from Three Different Geographical Sources in India

The current atmospheric changes affect biodiversity and the geographical distribution of natural species, including plants and animals. Plant species can convert, adapt to, or associate with the climatic conditions to adjust to a particular environment, as seen, e.g., at higher altitudes or in Eastern and Western regions. These changes are observed worldwide; therefore, provincial and territorial research is necessary to establish a legitimate management approach that precisely minimizes negative aesthetic, health-related, and financial consequences. A traditional medicinal plant found in tropical deciduous forests in India is Moringa concanensis Nimmo (Moringaceae). In the present research study, different specimens of Moringa concanensis from three different geographical sources in India were studied for their pharmacognostic, nutritional, and phytochemical aspects. The pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical analysis of leaves of Moringa concanensis, including their macroscopic, microscopic, and physicochemical parameters, was conducted as per WHO guidelines. Moringa concanensis leaves were successively extracted using five different solvents (petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, methanol, and water) with varying polarity. Each extract was then subjected to a phytochemical screening. The analysis of phytochemicals revealed the presence of cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, proteins, carbohydrates, tannins, and phenolics. The changes observed according to regional ecological conditions were recorded. Nutritionally and phytochemically, all three species show similarities with the major identified constituents.