"International Journal of Herbal Medicine"

Volume 1, Issue 6

 

Pharmacognostical Study of Justicia adhatoda Linn. Leaf

 

Author(s): Gupta Abhishek, Joshi Apurva, Joshi VK

Abstract: Justicia adhatoda Linn.  Synonym Adhatoda vasica Nees. (Acanthaceae) a plant species which is commonly used in preparation of indigenous medicine. The macroscopy, microscopy, quantitative analysis, extractive values in ethanol and water, phytochemical screening and TLC of the leaf were investigated.  The leaf is simple, entire, wavy, ovate, lanceolate, apex acuminate, 6 to 14 cm long, 3 to 5.5 cm broad, and midrib prominent at the lower surface. Transverse section of leaf TS passing through the midrib is highly convex on the lower side, centrally depressed on the upper side, containing a centrally located arc of meristeles and few other secondary meristeles on its either side, underneath the upper epidermis lies two layer of palisade cells containing oil globules and elongated warty cystoliths extending from the epidermis to the lower cells of palisade, 5-10 rows of collenchymatous tissue found on both side of midrib. Midrib contains 3-4 conjoint, collateral meristeles. Thetre is some small glandular trichomes found on lower epidermis. Leaf powder was dark green in colour, bitter in test. Alkaloids, Glycosides, Steroidal/triterpenes and Resin were present in both extracts while saponin was present only in aqueous extract. TLC confirmed the chemical composition present in leaf. The pharmacognostic profile of Justicia adhatoda Linn. Leaf is helpful in sample identification, quality and purity standards.

 

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