PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF LINARIA RAMOSISSIMA (WALL.) JANCH. (SCROPHULARIACEAE) STEM

Abstract

Linaria ramosissima (Wall.) Janch. (Scrophulariaceae) commonly known as ‘Kanoti’ & ‘Bhintgilodi’ is a reputed folklore drug. Literally ‘Kanoti’ means ‘ear’ representing ear shaped leaves of the plant. The drug is reputed for its anti diabetic properties and also having properties like Mutral, Rechak, Raktapittahar, Tika etc. The Review of the literature did not reveal much information regarding this plant, hence it was thought worth to investigate its pharmacognostical and phytochemical evaluation for its correct identity. Almost all the parts of plant possess medicinal properties but stem was first selected for its microscopical evaluation which includes the detail histological features involving transverse sections as well as powder microscopy both. priliminary phytochemical tests, florescence analysis & physicochemical parameters were investigated and besides this methanolic extract of the plant powder was also observed for Chromatographic evaluations. Important diagnostic characters like, striated cuticularised epidermis, simple & glandular trichomes, pericyclic fibres, pitted & spiral vessels etc. were observed while preliminary phytochemical & chromatographic study also reveals that it may be the constituents like saponin, flavonoid, alkaloid, tannin and other phenolic compounds are present. The finding of the study may be used as an useful key for identification and standardization of the drug.