Introduction: Nelsonia canescens (Acanthaceae), commonly used in name of ‘Rasna (Bodo Rasna)’ in Orissa, its root is being recommended in cases of pain and inflammation. Ethnic people use this plant very commonly. Review of the literature did not reveal much work on this plant, but ethnomedically root is said to be good anti inflammatory properties. Hence, it was thought worth to study the root of this plant. Method: The present investigation deals with macroscopic, microscopic study of the Nelsonia canescens root including its powder characteristics following standard procedures. Results: Chief microscopical characters include parenchymatous cortical zone, inner wall of the cell get detached and embedded in different form in cell cavities, medullary rays arising from the primary bundles, uni to tri seriate and getting wider towards periphery. Conclusion: Such a study would serve as a useful gauge in standardization of the root material and ensuring quality of the formulations

Medicinal plants are traditionally found to be useful for many ailments. The present study highlights the pharmacognostical as well as phytochemical studies including parameters such as macroscopic, microscopic characters, physicochemical evaluation, chemomicroscopy and preliminary phytochemical studies of the root of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. The morphological studies shows a root light to medium brown in color with hard and brittle texture, prisms of calcium oxalate crystals, sclereids and parenchyma cells. The transverse section showed parenchyma cells, vascular cambium, ray lines and phelloderm. Physico-chemical standards and their percentage values w/w were found to be: total ash (14.02 ± 0.12), acid insoluble ash (5.08 ± 0.18, %), water soluble ash (4.02 ± 0.27 %), sulphated ash (4.26 ± 0.11 %), alcohol soluble extractive (6.20 ± 0.45 %), water soluble extractive (28.40 ± 0.75 %) and moisture content (6.80 ± 0.25 %). Chemomicroscopical investigation revealed presence of lignin, tannin, oils, cellulose and calcium oxalate. Phytochemical analysis of the root revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins, proteins, steroids and terpenoids. These findings will help in identification, standardization of the root of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlechter and also distinguish it from its adulterants.

Alternanthera sessilis L. is a leafy vegetable used widely for its medicinal properties. The lack of documentation of medicinal plants have lead to the loss of quality in many important plants .The objective of the work was to study the pharmacognostic features of this plant. The study revealed the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in both stem and leaves. Extensively longer uniseriate trichome measuring 1227.4-1431.9 μm was observed in powder anaylsis. Macrosclerids and scalariform thickening were characteristic observation in the stem maceration. The vascular bundle showed inter fascicular cambial ring which is an anamolous secondary growth. The phytochemical studies on aqueous extracts of leaf showed positive result for Phenols, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. This study will help in standardizing and detection of adulterants.

Tylophora asthmatica (Synonym- Tylophora indica; family Asclepiadaceae) is a popular traditional remedy for respiratory disorders. The plant contains phenanthroindolizidine type of alkaloids like tylophorine and tylophorinine. The present study was designed to optimize extraction process of tylophorine from T. asthmatica leaves. A series of extraction experiments were carried out using different solvents like 95% alcohol, 2% sulphuric acid solution, chloroform, defatting with petroleum ether then extraction with 95% alcohol, 95% alcohol with different concentrations of glacial acetic acid (1%, 2%, 5% & 10%) and citric acid (0.1%, 0.5%, 1%, 2% & 5%). Maceration method was used for extraction. From all these experiments the extracts obtained were concentrated, purified by acid-base purification technique and tylophorine content was determined. The pure tylophorine fraction was analyzed by HPLC method. Results of the above study show that extraction with 95% alcohol containing 2% citric acid was most effective in terms of higher yield of tylophorine and economy. Hence this method may be used commercially for extraction of tylophorine.

The ripe pod pulp of Cassia fistula Linn. (Fabaceace) has long been used as a traditional laxative drug due to anthraquinone glycosides constituent. Rhein is the major anthraquinone in the pod pulp. In this study, extracts from ripe pod pulp of Cassia fistula collected from 10 different provinces in Thailand were standardized for physical and chemical properties. Using UV-vis spectrophotometric analysis, total anthraquinone content in the pod pulp extracts was more than 0.10% w/w (average 0.1365 ± 0.001% w/w) while total anthraquinone glycosides was more than 0.03% w/w (average 0.0445 ± 0.002% w/w), both calculated in terms of rhein. Quantitative analysis of rhein content in the pod pulp extracts was performed by high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC ) method. It was found that rhein content in pod pulp extracts was more than 0.02% w/w (average 0.0518 ± 0.003% w/w). Acute toxicity of the pod pulp extracts in rats and mice showed no mortality or any signs of toxicity. Total aerobic bacteria count and total fungi count in the extracts did not exceed 10 and 11 cfu/g, respectively while no pathogenic bacteria were found. This information would be a useful guideline for quality control and standardization of C. fistula pod pulp extracts for a good quality herbal laxative raw material.