RESUMO
Standardization is an important step for the establishment of a consistent biological activity, a consistent chemical profile, or simply a quality assurance program for production and manufacturing of herbal drugs preparation of any herbal formulation identification, evaluation and standardization is rudimentary identification involves the morphology, microscopy parameter of plants, evaluation and standardization of herbal drugs includes physical, chemical and biological parameters. These parameters are crucial for preparation of accurate and potent formulation. The present communication attempts to investigate pharmacognostical and phytochemical details of Cucurbita maxima, (Cucurbitaceae). The Preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, proteins and amino acids in alcoholic extract. HPTLC studies reveal that alcoholic extract gives 3 spots and alcoholic extract depicts 5 spots on the TLC plate in Butanol: acetic: water solvent system with Ninhydrin as spraying agent and 3 spots with vanillin as spraying agent and with butanol: phenol: water (6:1:1) 4 spots were seen with Ninhydrin as spraying agent and 2 spots were seen with vanillin as spraying agents. The GC/MS of pet ether methyl ester showed number of peaks. Out of which 3 highest peaks in descending order were taken into consideration. OSAZONE were formed which showed needle shaped crystals of glucaosazone. The study revealed specific identities for which may play a key role in identification of plant and can be useful in standardization of the herbal drugs.