COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON AMARANTHUS VIRIDUS AND AMARANTHUS SPINOSUS

Objective: To correlate the pharmacognostic appearance and physiochemical specification of the leaves of Amaranthus viridus and Amaranthus spinosus. Methods: Pharmacognostical features were scrutinized using fresh and dried powder, and physicochemical assessment was done by WHO guidelines. The phytochemical screenings were adopted for disclosing the existence of phytoconstituents in extracts. Results: The organoleptic features have been recorded for the fresh and powder material of Amaranthus viridus and Amaranthus spinosus. Microscopical examination reveals the arrangement of stomata, trichomes, and parenchymatous cells in both Amaranthus species. Phytochemical screening with discrete extracts affirms the existence of different phytoconstituents like alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, protein, and amino acids. Identification of Physicochemical characters is useful in distinguishing the powdered drug material. Based on Phytochemical screening results, alkaloid content was determined by spectrophotometric methods and reported more amount in Amaranthus viridis when compared to Amaranthus spinosus. Conclusion: The current research favours in an attempt to expand the data with respect to its standardization, identification and exploration of medicine.