PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STANDARDIZATION OF PLANT CRYPTOLEPIS BUCHANANI ROEM. & SCHULT. AERIAL PART

Cryptolepis buchanani Roem. & Schult. (Family: Asclepiadaceae) commonly-known as Wax leaved climber, Kali Sariva in English and Sanskrit. It is broadly used in Ayurveda as a remedy of ailment. Though, its diverse medicinal aspects, no detail pharmacognostical study is available till date. The present study is to investigate the pharmacognostical characteristics of C. buchanani aerial part. The investigation was carried out in terms of macroscopical, microscopical, leaf constant, powder behavioral with chemical reagents and fluorescence analysis by using yardstick methods. Sensory and macroscopic studies found that leaves are lanceolate, thin, spirally arranged, dark green in colour, with an astringent taste and acute apex. In transverse section, cuticularised epidermis having polygonal cells was found. Mesophyll cells were differentiated into single-layered palisade cells on each surface and 2 to 3 layered spongy parenchyma. Bowl-shaped vascular bundle in mid rib portion containing xylem and phloem tissues. The quantitative microscopy of leaves showed the presence of anomocytic stomata with cicatrix which is an identifying character. The stomatal number and stomatal indexes of the lower surface of leaves were found as 33.33 and 16.99. Leaves venation were parallel, vein islet and vein termination were calculated as 16.16 and 33.66. Powder microscopy of the plant showed the presence of unicellular and uniseriate hollow trichomes, stellate trichomes, crystal, stone cells, brown masses, pollen grain, starch grain, xylem vessels, fibres and fragment endosperms. The present investigations reveal that the presence of key diagnostic characteristics may serve to establish identity, purity and quality control standards of drugs.