ANATOMICAL STUDIES OF ELAEOCARPUS SERRATUS LINN.

The medicinal plant Elaeocarpus serratus Linn., (Elaeocarpaceae) has been utilized in traditional medicine for various ailments. However, upon reviewing the literature, it was found that no anatomical work had been conducted on this plant. Therefore, our present study aimed to determine the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of fresh leaf and stem of Elaeocarpus serratus. The macroscopic study is a technique of qualitative evaluation based on the study of morphological and sensory profiles. Externally, the leaves simple, alternate, spiral, clustered at twig ends, petiole 1.2- 4cm long and glabrous, lamina is elliptic with an acuminate or obtuse apex, base acute, serrate margin and glabrous and it appears red when senescent, midrib slightly raised above the surface. Inflorescences are in racemes, with white flower petals. The microscopic study is a qualitative evaluation technique used to confirm the structural details of drugs. Internally, the leaf exhibits both abaxial and adaxial epidermis, granular trichomes are unicellular, unbranched, wide and straight with pointed tip, cortex with tannin contents and calcium oxalate crystals. The petiole shows a boat-shaped sectional view with dense amorphous inclusions surrounded by a rosette of parenchyma cells in ground tissue. The stem shows a fissured periderm, distinct growth rings, and lignified xylem fibers. The seed contains thick cellular endosperm with starch grains. Powder microscopy reveals the presence of cyclocytic and apostomatic type stomata, trichomes and prismatic crystals in the leaf. The stem contains thick-walled fibers, periderm tissue, fibriform-like sclereids and some vessel elements. The seed coat exhibits brachy sclereids, lignified walls, canal-like pits and a wide lumen.