Collection

ABSTRACT

All the plants are having medicinal values and thus are used traditionally in many diseasesfrom ancient times. One of such useful plant is Aerva lanata commonly known as “Bhui” which is awoody, prostate or succulent, perennial herb from the Amaranthaceae family, found in open forest onmountains, slopes, disturbed ground and deserted areas(1). The plant has been screened for diuretic,antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity (2) (3). According to the literature referredthe pharmacognostical studies of this plant have not been reported yet, therefore the presentinvestigation is planned to study the pharmacognostical and phytochemical aspects of Aerva lanata. Inthe present research article the pharmacognostical study i.e. morphological, microscopical, chemical &chromatographic analysis of plant Aerva lanata was carried out. This study provides the standardizationparameters important for the characterization & identification of the plant. The information will beuseful for the traditional medicine practitioners & establishing literature regarding the plant.Microscopic studies shows upper epidermis is straight walled, single layered containing trichomesbelow the epidermis collenchyma cellular layers are present which can be characterized by thickcellulosic deposition. Cells contain calcium oxalate crystals (in small amount) and starch. Vascularbundles present in spongy tissues. Physiochemical analysis shows Total ash, Acid insoluble ash, Watersoluble ash, Sulphated ash values as 10.01%, 2.01%, 4.92% and 4.82% respectively. Other parameterslike Alcohol soluble extractive value, Water soluble extractive value, Loss on drying and swelling indexare found to be 20%, 24%, 8% and 6.42%. Fluorescence study and preliminary phytochemical tests arealso performed. Thin layer chromatographic studies showing presence of carbohydrates, steroids,flavonoids and tannins at Rf values of 0.88, 0.86, 0.92 and 0.86 respectively.