Vol. 7, Issue 6 (2018)

Author(s):
Pande J, Padalia H, Donga S and Chanda S

Abstract:
Pharmacognostic studies are very important since the parameters estimated are the identity of a particular plant and they are very useful to authenticate the plant under study and prevent it from adulteration and substitution. In the present work, pharmacognostic, physicochemical and phytochemical analysis of Andrographis echioides Nees. and Tridax procumbens L. leaf and stem has been attempted. The macroscopic, microscopic and powder study laid down the characteristic features of leaf and stem of the said plants. The crude powder of leaf and stem of both the plants was evaluated for the presence or absence of various phytochemicals like alkaloids, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, saponins, triterpenes, etc. The parameters evaluated in physicochemical analysis were ash values (total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash, sulphated ash), extractive values in different solvents and fluorescence analysis. The microscopic studies showed presence of palisade tissue, parenchymatous tissue, xylem, phloem, pointed multicellular trichomes and anomocytic stomata. In both the plants, leaf and stem possessed maximum amount of flavonoids and methanol had maximum extractive value. Fluorescence analysis imparted characteristic colours to the leaf and stem powder under different chemical reagents when observed under visible and UV light. The different salient diagnostic features established in this study will help for proper identification and standardization of the drug in crude form.