Medico-botanical investigation of medicinal plant zanthoxylum alatum roxb

ABSTRACT

Medicinal plants constitute an effective source of traditional and modern medicines. The plant is a biosynthetic laboratory, not only for chemical compounds but also a multitude of bioactive constituents. The proposed research work was confined to the medico-botanical investigation of Zanthoxylum alatum Roxb. The study was carried out in Botany Laboratory of the University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi. The study was confined to solubility test, colour test, leaf anatomy and powder microscopy. The medicinal importance was also considered. This species is used as [chewing stick] Miswak by local people of Pakistan in different areas. Anatomical features such as fibers, parenchyma cells, vessels and pith were identified in Z. alatum. Powdered Ai'iswak of Z. alatum was soluble in sulphuric acid only while insoluble in other solvents. Powdered drug of these species did not retain their original colour in hot and cold tests, on dry filter paper and after one hour; when mixed in various solvents. The abaxial and adaxial surface of leaf epidermis has diacytic stomata. The cells were of different shapes that is, trigonal tetragonal and pentagonal. The purpose of research was to know the morphological features, botanical identity and medicinal importance of the plant