Pharmacognostic studies of indigenous medicinal plants-II Comparative cytomorphological and irritation studies of some Ficus species

ABSTRACT

The comparative cytomorphological studies of Ficus bengalensis, F. infectoria and F. religiosa were carried out with dried powder of their various parts under light microscope; while the irritant constituents were extracted successively with pet. ether [40-60] CHCI3, MeOH and water from their vaious parts and from latex. Pet, ether extract of leaves, stem and latex of F. bengalensis imparted more potent skin harming action on mice's ear than other extracts. The CHCI3 extracts of latext of F. religiosa also exhibited stronger reaction than all other latexes. All other extracts revealed either weal or moderate responses. The possible relationship of anatomical structure with phytochemistry and irritancy in these species has been discussed