Comparative Pharmacognostic and Powder Microscopic Studies of the Bark of Four Ficus Species (Nalpamaram)

Nalpamaram is widely used in traditional Ayurvedic system for the treatment of several ailments. It is very effective for the treatment of skin diseases like pigmentation, wrinkles and dark circles. This has a brown texture and a unique aroma. Nalpamaram is a mixture of four plant species of the family Moraceae - Ficus religiosa (Asvattha), Ficus benghalensis (Nyagrodha), Ficus racemosa (Udumbara) and Ficus microcarpa (Plaksah). The barks of the species are usually interchanged or adulterated with other species of Ficus because of the limited knowledge in identification and differentiation. Therefore, a detailed comparative pharmacognostic evaluation of the four species has been carried out with the aim to establish the diagnostic keys of these important drugs based on the pharmacognostic and powder macroscopic profiles. Pharmacognostic study of all these shows differences in values. Total ash is low in F. racemosa and high in F. benghalensis Acid insoluble ash is low in F. benghalensis and high in F. racemosa. Water soluble extractive is low in F. benghalensis and high in F. racemosa. Alcohol soluble extractive is low in F. benghalensis and high in F. racemosa. Unique identification features like stone cells and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate were found in the powder of all four species. The information from the present study provide data which is useful for the development of suitable monograph, determining the quality and purity of a crude drug and laying down Pharmacopoeia standards for Nalpamaram.

Pharmacognostical Study of Bark of Shimshapa (Dalbergia sissoo Roxb)

Purpose: Pharmacognostical evaluation of bark of Dalbergia sissoo is done for identification in field and differentiates from other species of Dalbergia. Methods: Drug is studied taxonomically and its macroscopic, microscopic features were studied including powder microscopy of bark with suitable instruments. Results: Macroscopic study reveals on drying bark is flat curved inward with presence of cracks color reddish brown outer surface rough warty while inner surface was tough, longitudinally striated whereas microscopic study reveals outline of transverse section (TS) exposed rhytidome covering the upper part of section. It was continue with cork cells followed wide zone of secondarycortex. Concentric rings of fibres were present throughout the secondary phloem. The detailed TS showed dark coloured rhytodome cells followed by multilayered cork cells. Secretory cells containing tannin was present in secondary cortex zone. Presence of calcium oxalate crystals present in rays cells and parenchyma cells of cortex. Starch grains were present throughout the parenchyma cells. Powder was dark red in colour, bitter .taste , fruity odor. Powder microscopy reveals fragments of cork cells, stone cells, septate fibres, Pitted medullary ray cells, Prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, simple starch grains and fragments of fibres found present. Conclusion: Finding of this study will falicitate pharmacognostic standardization of plant material and become an aid for identification as well as preparation of herbal monographs for the species and to enjoy the Ayuvedic classical claims.

Pharmacognosy Of Peetha Bhringaraja (wedelia Chinensis (osbeck) Merrill)

Bhringaraja (Eclipta prostrata (L.)) is a plant widely used as a remedy for liver disorders, Anaemia etc. The drug is said to have three varieties based on the colour of its flower. Peetha Bhringaraja is the yellow flowered variety of Bhringaraja. The drug is botanically identified as Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merrill belongs to the family Asteraceae. The drug is not that much abundantly seen nowadays. Wedelia trilobata is another similar invasive species belongs to the same family Asteraceae. The IUCN has listed Wedelia Trilobata in its 100 world’s worst invasive alien species. Florida exotic plant pest council considered it as category 2 invader. Due to its invasion most of the similar Wedelia species got replaced. Pharmacognosy is the only reliable tool to differentiate among plants. For the purpose of utilisation of genuine source of Wedelia chinensis (Osbeck) Merrill, the plant was identified and detailed macroscopy and microscopy of root, stem and leaf along with the powder microscopy of whole plant is done.

An Insight To The Pharmacognosy Of Shatavari (asparagus Racemosus Willd.)

Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Shatavari) belonging to the family Asparagaceae is a drug well known since ages. It is regarded as the queen of herbs. Shatavari is not only a potent medicine but is also used as a vegetable in many parts of the world. The therapeutic applicability of the drug extends from aphrodisiac, galactogogue, diuretic, tonic, styptic, antibacterial, and antimycotic. Inthe Ayurvedic samhitas, there is repeated mentioning of the drug in the treatment aspects of Rakthapitta (bleeding disorders), Sthanyavardhaka (galactogogue), Rakshoghna of Vranitha and Soothika (antimicrobial activity), and in Mutrakrchracikitsa (urinary disorders). This work aims at understanding the organoleptic features, microscopic details and powder microscopy of the tuberous root powder of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.). Even though the drug Shatavari is well known and used widely, detailed studies regarding the microscopic characters and the powder microscopy has not been documented in detail covering the entire aspects. In the light of authentic Pharmacopoeial texts, the cell constituents of the sample has been analysed and the powder microscopy also revealed the presence of calcium oxalate crystals, pitted vessels, tracheids etc, which also affirms the genuineness of the source drug Shatavari. Yet another concern is with the widespread use of adulterants. Shweta musali (Chlorophytum borivilianum L.) is used instead of Shatavari at many places knowingly or unknowingly. Hence a thorough understanding of the genuine drug in terms of its microscopic as well as powder character is very much essential to prevent the adulteration as well as providing a key to the identification of plant source.

Microscopical evaluation of leaf of Maytenus emarginata.

Microscopical investigation was carried out on leaves of Maytenus emarginata (Willd.) Ding Hou belongs to family celastraceae, is an evergreen tree that tolerates various types of stresses of the desert, locally known as “Kankero” in Hindi, “Thorny staff tree” in English. Literature survey revealed that not much work has been done on this plant, especially on leaves. So we have taken its detailed microscopical studies to prove its appropriate identification. Microscopical study provide information that the lamina is dorsiventaral and 380µm thick. The Lamina is amphistomatic, the stomata being distributed both on the adaxial and abaxial sides. Calcium oxalate crystals of druses are fairly abundant in the mesophyll tissue. The stomata are cyclocytic type. The venation is densely reticulate. The terminations are either simple or more commonly forked into deuse clusters. Powder Microscopy show that the sclereids are fiber like in shape and size. The sclereids are 500 µm long and 30 µm thick. Long or short, cylindrical mesophyll cells are common with powder. They have dense tannin contents. The cells have thin wall and the cells are up to 200 µm long and 60 µm wide. Calciumoxlate druses are quite abundant in the power. They are spherical bodies with spiny surface. The druses are 30 µm in diameters. The above studies provide useful information in regard to its correct identity, evaluation and help to differentiate from the closely related other species of Maytenus Emarginata (Willd.)Ding Hou

Pharmacognostical and physicochemical analysis of Tamarindus indica Linn stem.

Tamarindus indica Linn. fruits (Chincha) are extensively used in culinary preparations in Indian civilization. Its vast medicinal uses are documented in Ayurvedic classics and it can be used singly or as a component of various formulations. Besides fruit, the Kasta (wood) of T. indica L. is also important and used to prepare Kshara (alkaline extract) an Ayurvedic dosage form. Pharmacognostical and physicochemical details of Chincha Kasta are not available in authentic literature including API (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India). The study is an attempt in this direction. T. indica L. stem with heartwood was selected and morphological, microscopic and physicochemical standardization characters along with TLC fi nger print, and fl uorescence analysis were documented. Transverse section of stem showed important characters such as phelloderm, stone cells layer, fi ber groups, calcium oxalate, crystal fi bers, and tylosis in heartwood region. Four characteristic spots were observed under UV long wave, in thin layer chromatography with the solvent combination of toluene: ethyl acetate (8:2). The study can help correct identifi cation and standardization of this plant material.

Morpho anatomical studies of leaves of Abutilon indicum (linn.) sweet

Objective: To evaluate the pharmacognostic parameters of the leaves of Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Sweet which will assist in standardization, quality assurance, purity and sample identification of the species. Methods: The pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of organoleptic, microscopic, powder microscopic, leaf constants and fluorescence analysis. Results:Macroscopic study showed that the leaf shape -cordate, Size -2-4 cm long, Colour - Green, Odour -Characteristic, Taste -Characteristic, Surface - Smooth, Apex -Acute to acuminate, Lamina-Simple, Cordate, Reticulate, Dentate, Margin-Crenate-Dentate. The microscopic features of leaves were observed as covering trichomes, glandular trichome, vascular bundles, crystals, stomata ,mucilage secretory cells adaxial epidermis, palisade mesophyll, spongy mesophyll and lateral vein. Further the study was evaluated leaf constants, powder microscopy and fluorescence study of leaf powder. Conclusion: Various pharmacognostic characters observed in this study help in the identification and standardization of Abutilon indicum (Linn.) Sweet.