MORPHO-ANATOMICAL STUDY OF CALLICARPA MACROPHYLLA VAHL: AN IMPORTANT MEDICINAL SHRUB

Abstract

Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl (Lamiaceae) is an erect medicinal shrub, commonly known as Priyangu. It is widely used in Indian and Chinese system of medicine for the treatment of various disorders like diarrhea, diabetes, dysentery, tumor and fever. The plant is also used by various ethnic communities of North-East India to treat bone dislocation, rheumatism, headache and stomach disorder. The present study deals with morpho-anatomical evaluation and establishment of its quality parameters, including chromatographic profile of C. macrophylla. Macroscopically, the leaf is simple, petiolate, asymmetrical, ovate-lanceolate in shape with serrate margin, acuminate apex and cuneate base. The presence of anomocytic stomata, abundant candelabra trichomes, calcium oxalate crystals, ring shaped vascular bundle surrounded by pericyclic fibers in leaf and presence of open collateral vascular bundle in stem are the some of the diagnostic features noted from anatomical study of plant. Powder microscopy of the leaf revealed the presence of epidermal cells with stomata, candelabra trichomes, palisade cells with crystals and vessels with spiral thickenings. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoid, terpenoid, glycoside, and saponins. HPTLC finger printing of the plant with solvent system chloroform: methanol (8:2) confirmed the presence of 07 spots with different Rf value under UV light 366$\lambda$.