Pharmacognostic studies of some diuretic medicinal plants of Pakistan

ABSTRACT

Seeds of Raphanus sativus Linn., Cucumis melo Linn., Citrullus vulgaris Schrad, Zea mays Linn., leaves of Cvmbopogon citratus [D.C.] stpt were standard pharmacognostically. These medicinal plants are frequently used in traditional system of medicine for the preparation of diuretics and general tonic. For growing children it is used as memory enhancer due to the presence of different vitamins, minerals and essential oils. This paper describes the macro and microscopic features, fluoresence characteristics under UV light [254 and 366 nm], quantitative analysis on the basis of colour reaction [for sterols, carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannin and terpenoids]. These results meet the criteria of WHO for herbal drug evaluation and standardization too