Volume13,Issue1

The genus Plumbago belongs to the family Plumbaginaceae. It is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions. The present investigation was carried out to study the quantitative trait variation and phytochemical variation among Plumbago zeylanica and P. rosea. The analysis of morphological data revealed significant differences among phenotypes for all measured traits. Different phytoconstituents such as alkaloid, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, phenol and steroids were identified in the ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts. The results will provide preliminary interpretation of morphological characters and phytochemicals of these species.

Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical investigations are the first step to determine the quality and purity of the crude drug. The aim of this study was to investigate the Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical properties of the rare medicinal plant – Merremia umbellata (Convolvulaceae). Merremia umbellata is a perennial climbing plant with herbaceous system 1-3 metres long that scramble over the ground and twine into other plants for support. It is a twining or prostrate herb found from Punjab eastwards to Assam, Garo, North Cachar, Aka and Lushai hills, Eastern Ghats up to Godavari, Western Ghats, Deccan and Andaman Islands ascending to 1,200m in the hills. Merremia umbellata is also known as Ipomea cymosa. The Literature review of Merremia umbellata reveals that the dried powdered leaves are sniffed up the nose for the treatment of epilepsy and used as a remedy for microbial infections. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins and phenolic compounds. The current study describes some Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical studies on Aerial parts of Merremia umbellata.

Barleria prionitis L. belongs to family Acanthaceae. In ayurvedic system of medicine it is known as Kuranta, Kuranda and Sahachara. It is also known as Vajradanti.  The root, stem, leaves are mainly used as medicines. The flowers too have therapeutic value in curing dental problems, fever, etc. The use of flower is less known hence it was felt necessary to investigate this plant part.  Pharmacognosy is the first step in deciding the status of a plant organ as a crude medicine.  Hence comprehensive Pharmacognostic study of Barleria prionitis L.  flower was done.  In the present study various aspects of pharmacognosy like macroscopy, microscopy, histochemical analysis, powder study, preliminary phytochemical screening, fluorescence analysis, and physicochemical constants were laid down. The diagnostic characters of the flower is presence of druse crystals, glandular and non-glandular trichomes, oil globules, chlorenchyma cells etc. Physicochemical study revealed total ash (8%), acid insoluble ash (1.8%), water soluble ash (2 %), water soluble extractive value (3.5%), alcohol soluble extractive value (1.08%) and chloroform soluble extractive value (0.24 %).