@article {1547, title = {Pharmacognostic study of root of Combretum albidum G. Don}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {6}, year = {2014}, month = {18th Feb,2014}, pages = {28-33}, type = {Original Article}, abstract = {

Background:Combretum albidum G. Don commonly known as Buffalo calf. The C. albidum is used for diverse health ailments in traditional and folklore remedies. Objective: The present study was undertaken to lay down pharmacognostic and phytochemical standards for Combretum albidum G. Don. Material and Methods: The pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of macroscopic, microscopic, physicochemical, fluorescence and phytochemical analysis. Physicochemical parameters such as total ash, moisture content, extractive values are determined as per WHO guidelines. The microscopical features of root components are observed with Nikon labphoto 2 microscopic unit. Results: The morphologically, root are pale brown colored, cylindrical with slightly bitter in taste and agreeable odour. Distinguishingly roots showed root scares, rootlet and fibrous fracture. Microscopy of root consists of thick epidermis, periderm, and cortex with sclerenchyma cells. Vascular cylinder includes thin phloem and thick, solid and dense xylem cylinder. The prismatic calcium oxalates were observed. Powder microscopy of root revealed that fibres were fairly wide and densely packed with starch grains. The fluorescence and physicochemical standards for root were established. Phytochemically root showed the presence of carbohydrate, glycoside, saponin, flavonoid, phytosterols and phenolic compounds. Conclusion: There is no pharmacognostic and phytochemical reports on C. albidum to authenticate and differentiate them from similar species. Therefore, present work was undertaken and established the pharmacognostic and phytochemical characteristics of C. albidum and diagnostic features to differentiate it.

Key words: Combretum albidum, Microscopy, Macroscopy, Phytochemical, Fluorescence analysis.

}, keywords = {Combretum albidum, Fluorescence analysis, Macroscopy, microscopy, Phytochemical}, author = {Ashish S. Zalke and B. Duraiswamy and Upendra B. Gandagule} }