PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE LEAVES OF BARLERIA PRIONITIS (L.)

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON THE LEAVES OF BARLERIA PRIONITIS (L.)

Usha Vasoya

Department of Pharmacognosy, C. K. Pithawalla Institute of Pharmaceutical Science & Research, Surat, Gujarat, India

ABSTRACT

The Barleria prionitis Lin. (Acanthaceae), known as Vajradanti & Porcupine flower, is widely used in traditional medicine. According to survey, any report was not available on microscopic and physicochemical properties of Barleria prionitis Lin. The present study deals with Pharmacognostical examination and physicochemical constant of Barleria prionitis Lin. leaf. The leaf has antiseptic properties, its decoction is used for febrile catarrh, mouth wash to relief toothache and as a paste it is applied over boils & glandular swellings. Pharmacognostical evaluation includes macroscopy, microscopy, surface preparation and physicochemical parameter. The macroscopic features of the leaves are opposite, acute apex, elliptic-ovate in shape, entire margin, long petiole. Microscopically it consists of single layer of epidermis. Lamina is uniformly flat with even surface & contains single layer of palisade cell. Collateral vascular bundles and cross celled stomata. Physicochemical studies like ash value, loss on drying and extractive value. These finding will be useful towards establishing pharmacognostic standards which help in identification, purity and classification of the plant.