ABSTRACT:

Capparis decidua (Forsk.) Edgew. belonging to family Capparidaceae is well known for curing a variety of ailments such as toothache, cough, asthma, intermittent fever and rheumatism. The present study was undertaken to investigate the Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical parameters of stem of Capparis decidua. Pharmacognostical investigations were carried out to study its macro and microscopical characters. Various physiochemical parameters and histochemical color reactions were evaluated as per the IP method. The transverse section of the stem revealed the presence of cuticle, epidermis, starch sheath, pericycle, phloem, cambium, xylem, medullary ray, pith etc. The results of physiochemical parameters showed total ash- 17.56% w/w, acid insoluble ash-5.28% w/w, water soluble ash-8.44% w/w, petroleum ether soluble extractive- 2.04% w/w, ethyl acetate extractive- 0.48% w/w, chloroform extractive- 0.8% w/w, ethanol extractive-0.132% w/w, water soluble extractive-10.66% w/w and moisture content- 6.71% w/w. The qualitative evaluation of the extract indicated the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, proteins and free amino acids. Foreign organic matter, swelling index and crude fibre content were found to be 0.9% w/w, 0.15ml/mg and 5.55% w/w respectively. ?- Sitosterol content in the plant drug was found to be 0.0244% w/w.