Subban Murugesan et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(8),4266-4270 Research Article Available online through ISSN: 0974-6943 http://jprsolutions.info Pharmacological studies on umbellatum Burm.F. (). Subban Murugesan, Annamalai Panneerselvam P.G. and Research Department of Botany and Microbiology,A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam College (Autonomous), Poondi – 613 503, Tamilnadu, India. Received on:11-05-2012; Revised on: 18-06-2012; Accepted on:23-07-2012

ABSTRACT Various physicochemical parameters are established to validate standardization data of M. umbellatum in herbal drug industry. The test for loss on drying determines both water and volatile matter present in it. While the different ash values represent inorganic salts naturally occurring in the crude drug. As far as extractive value is concerned, higher values were recorded in high polarity solvents such as in alcohol, water which revealed the presence of high polarity compound in the material. Fluorescence analysis represents the characteristic colour under illumination which will be useful in identification of impurities in crude drug. These forms first report to detect the impurities on this selected plant.

Key words: medicinal , Fluorescence, solvents, alcohol,

INTRODUCTION In India, medicinal plant sector has traditionally occupied an important po- 100ml volumetric flask and added 25 sufficient water through the filter to sition in the socio cultural, spiritual and medicinal arena of rural and tribal dilute to volume. Poured the decoction into 10 stoppered test tubes (height- [1] lives . The discovery of reserpine (serpasil) from Rauwolfia serpentina by 16cm, diameter-16mm) in successive portions of 1ml, 2ml, 3ml, etc. upto Ciba in Switzerland in 1952, gave a new impetus to research on herbal drugs 10ml, and adjusted the volume of the liquid in each tube with water to 10ml. [2] in India . In India, medicinal plants as a group comprises approximately Stoppered the tubes and shake them in a lengthwise motion for 15 seconds, 8000 species and account for around 50% of all the higher at the rate of two shakes per second. Allowed to stand for 15 minutes and [3] species of India . Millions of rural households use medicinal plants in a self- measured the height of the foam. The results were assessed as follows. If the help mode. Over one and a half million practitioners of the Indian System of height of the foam in every tube is less than 1cm, the foaming index is less Medicine in the oral and codified streams use medicinal plants in preventive, than 100. If a height of foam of 1cm is measured in any tube, the volume of [1] promotive and curative applications . In recent years, the growing demand the plant material decoction in this tube (a) is used to determine the index. If for herbal product has led to a quantum jump in volume of plant materials this tube is the first or second tube in a series, prepare an intermediate traded within and across the countries. Though India has a rich biodiversity, dilution in a similar manner to obtain a more precise result. If the height of the the growing demand is putting a heavy strain on the existing resources. While foam is more than 1cm in every tube, the foaming index is over 1000. In this the demand for medicinal plants is growing, some of them are increasingly case repeat the determination using a new series of dilutions of the decoction being threatened in their natural habitat. For meeting the future needs cultiva- in order to obtain a result. tion of medicinal plant has to be encouraged. Determination of Loss on Drying MATERIALS AND METHODS The loss on drying test is designed to measure the amount of water and volatile matters in a sample, when the sample is dried under specific condi- Physico-chemical analysis tions. If the substance is in the form of large crystals, reduce the size by rapid The powdered plant materials were morphologically and organoleptically crushing to a powder. The test should be carried out on a well-mixed sample screened and subjected to physico-chemical analysis in accordance with the of the substances. Weighed a glass stoppered, shallow weighing bottle that [4] WHO guidelines . The following various physico-chemical parameters were has been dried under the same conditions to be employed in the determina- analyzed. tion[5]. Transferred to the bottle the quantity of the sample specified in the related monograph, covered it and accurately weighed the bottle and the Determination of foaming index contents. Distributed the sample as evenly as practicable by gentle sidewise Saponins are substances of high molecular weight containing shaking to a depth not exceeding 10mm. Placed the loaded bottle in the drying phytoconstituents with detergent activity. Many medicinal plant materials chamber (oven or desiccator) as directed in the monograph, removed the which contain saponins cause persistent foam when an aqueous decoction stopper and left it also in the chamber. Dried the sample to constant weight was shaken. It was measured in terms of foaming index. Reduced about 1g of or for the specified time and at the temperature indicated in the monograph. the plant material to a coarse powder (sieve no.40) weighed accurately and After drying was completed, opened the drying chamber, closed the bottle transferred to a 500ml conical flask containing 100ml of boiling water. Main- promptly and allow it to cool at room temperature (where applicable) in a tained at moderate boiling temperature for 30 min. Cooled and filtered into a desiccator before weighing. Weighed the bottle and the contents.

*Corresponding author. Determination of crude fiber content Subban Murugesan The crude fibre content of the powdered plant material was carried out by P.G. and Research Department of Botany and Dutch method[6]. If crude drug contains appreciable amount of fat or oil, it Microbiology,A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam College must be removed first by extraction with suitable lipid solvent, before pro- (Autonomous), Poondi – 613 503, cessing. Weighed 2g of powdered drug in a beaker. Added 50ml of 10% v/v Tamilnadu, India. nitric acid. Heated to boil with constant stirring (till about 30 seconds after boiling starts). Strained through fine cotton cloth on a Buchner funnel. Gave

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 8.August 2012 4266-4270 Subban Murugesan et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(8),4266-4270 washing to the residue with boiling water (suction may be used). Transferred Determination of Extractive Values residue from the cloth to a beaker. Added 50ml of 2.5% v/v sodium hydroxide Extractive values of crude drugs are useful for their evaluation, especially solution. Heated to boil. Maintained at boiling point for 30 seconds, stirring when the constituents of a drug cannot be readily estimated by any other constantly. Strained and washed with hot water as mentioned earlier. For means. Further, these values indicate the nature of the constituents present quantitative determination, transferred the residue to a cleaned and dried in a crude drug. It was carried out by standard method of Kokate[7]. crucible. Weighed the residue and determined % of crude fibres. For micro- scopical examination, residue was suspended in water or alcohol (70%) until Batch process required for use. (i) Petroleum ether soluble extractive value Determination of Ash values Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of Ash values of a crude drug is the inorganic residue remaining after incinera- Benzene of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, shaking fre- tion, which simply represents inorganic salts, naturally occurring in drug or quently during the first 6 h and allowing to stand for 18 h. Thereafter, filtered adhering to it or deliberately added to it as a form of adulteration[4]. Hence, rapidly taking precautions against loss of petroleum ether, evaporated 25 ml the ash values are helpful in determining the quality and purity of a crude of the filtrate to dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish, dried at 105oC drug in the powdered form. and weighed. Calculated the % of petroleum ether soluble extractive with reference to the air-dried drug. (1) Determination of Total Ash Placed about 2-4 g of the ground air-dried material, accurately weighed, in a (ii) Hexane soluble extractive value previously ignited and tared crucible (usually of platinum or silica). The Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of material was spread in an even layer and ignite it by gradually increasing the Benzene of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, shaking fre- heat to 500-600oC until it is white, indicating the absence of carbon. Cooled quently during the first 6 h and allowing to stand for 18 h. Thereafter, filtered in a dessicator and weighed. If carbon free ash cannot be obtained in this rapidly taking precautions against loss of petroleum ether, evaporated 25 ml manner, cool the crucible and moisten the residue with about 2ml of water or of the filtrate to dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish, dried at 105oC a saturated solution of ammonium nitrate. Dried on a water-bath, then on a and weighed. Calculated the % of hexane soluble extractive with reference to hot-plate and ignited to constant weight. Allowed the residue to cool in the air-dried drug. dessicator for 30 min., then weighed without delay. Calculated content of total ash in mg per g of air-dried material. (iii) Benzene soluble extractive value Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of (ii) Determination of Water soluble Ash Benzene of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, shaking fre- To the crucible containing the total ash, added 25ml of water and boiled for 5 quently during the first 6 h and allowing to stand for 18 h. Thereafter, filtered min. Collected the insoluble matter in a sintered glass crucible or on an ash rapidly taking precautions against loss of petroleum ether, evaporated 25 ml less filter paper. Washed with hot water and ignited in a crucible for 15 min. of the filtrate to dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish, dried at at a temperature not exceeding 45oC. Substracted the weight of this residue in 1050C and weighed. Calculated the % of benzene soluble extractive with mg from the weight of total ash. Calculated the content of water-soluble ash reference to the air-dried drug. in mg per g of dried-material. (iv) Chloroform soluble extractive value (iii) Determination of Acid insoluble Ash Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of To the crucible containing the total ash, added 25ml of hydrochloric acid TS, chloroform of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, shaking fre- covered with a watch glass and boiled gently for 5 min. Rinsed the watch- quently during the first 6 h and allowing to stand for 18 h. Thereafter, filtered glass with 5ml of hot water and added this liquid to the crucible. Collected the rapidly taking precautions against loss of petroleum ether, evaporated 25 ml insoluble matter on an ash less filter paper and washed with hot water until of the filtrate to dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish, dried at 105oC the filtrate is neutral. Transferred the filter-paper containing the insoluble to and weighed. Calculated the % of chloroform soluble extractive with refer- the original crucible, dried on a hot-plate and ignited to constant weight. ence to the air-dried drug. Allowed the residue to cool in a suitable dessicator for 30 min., then weighed without delay. Calculated the content of acid-insoluble ash in mg per g air- (V) Carbon tetrachloride soluble extractive value dried material. Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of Carbon tetrachloride of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, (iv) Determination of Sulphated Ash shaking frequently during the first 6 h and allowing to stand for 18 h. There- Heated a silica or platinum crucible to redness for 10 min., allowed to cool in after, filtered rapidly taking precautions against loss of petroleum ether, a desiccator and weighed. Unless otherwise specified in the individual mono- evaporated 25 ml of the filtrate to dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow graph, transferred to the crucible 1 g of the substance being examined and dish, dried at 105oC and weighed. Calculated the % of carbon tetrachloride weighed the crucible and the contents accurately. Ignited, gently at first, until soluble extractive with reference to the air-dried drug. the substance is thoroughly charred. Cooled, moistened the residue with 1 ml of sulphuric acid, heated gently until the white fumes are no longer evolved (vi) Ethyl acetate soluble extractive value and ignited at 800±250oC until all black particles have disappeared. Con- Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of ethyl ducted the ignition in a place protected from air currents. Allowed the cru- acetate of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, shaking frequently cible to cool, added a few drops of sulphuric acid and heated. Ignited as during the first 6 h and allowing to stand for 18 h. Thereafter, filtered rapidly before, allowed to cool and weighed. Repeated the operation until two suc- taking precautions against loss of ethyl acetate, evaporated 25 ml of the cessive weighings did not differ by more than 0.5 mg. filtrate to dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish, dried at 105oC and weighed. Calculated the % of ethyl acetate soluble extractive with reference to the air-dried drug.

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 8.August 2012 4266-4270 Subban Murugesan et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(8),4266-4270 (vii) Acetone soluble extractive value RESULTS Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of ethyl The results of physico-chemical values of and stem of Memecylon acetate of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, shaking frequently umbellatum recorded were given (Table 1). during the first 6 h and allowing to stand for 18 h. Thereafter, filtered rapidly Table 1. Physico-chemical parameters of leaves and stem of M. taking precautions against loss of ethyl acetate, evaporated 25 ml of the umbellatum filtrate to dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish, dried at 105oC and weighed. Calculated the % of acetone soluble extractive with reference to the S. No. Parameters Leaves Stem air-dried drug. 1 Foaming Index Less than 100 Less than 100 2 Crude fiber content 18.75% w/w 22.75% w/w (v) Ethanol soluble extractive value 3 Loss on drying 6.2 % w/w 7.5% w/w Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of 4 Ash values (i) Total ash 5.5 % 4.2 % Methanol of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, shaking fre- (ii) Water soluble ash 4.5 % 3.3 % quently during the first 6 h and allowing to stand for 18 h. Thereafter, filtered (iii) Acid insoluble ash 3.2 % 2.8 % rapidly taking precautions against loss of petroleum ether, evaporated 25 ml (iv) Sulphated ash 4.8 % 3.2 % o of the filtrate to dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish, dried at 105 C (i) Leaves and weighed. Calculated the % of ethanol soluble extractive with reference to In leaves, physico-chemical values such as foaming index was recorded as the air-dried drug. less than 100, crude fibre content was recorded as 18.75% w/w, loss on drying was recorded as 6.2% w/w respectively. Ash values such as total ash (vi) Methanol soluble extractive value was recorded as 5.5%, water soluble ash was 4.5%, acid insoluble ash was Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of 3.2% and sulphated ash was recorded as 4.8% respectively. Methanol of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, shaking fre- quently during the first 6 h and allowing to stand 32 for 18 h. Thereafter, (ii) Stem filtered rapidly taking precautions against loss of petroleum ether, evapo- In stem, physico-chemical values such as foaming index was recorded as less rated 25 ml of the filtrate to dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish, than 100, crude fibre content was recorded as 22.75% w/w, loss on drying o dried at 105 C and weighed. Calculated the % of methanol soluble extractive was recorded as 7.5% w/w respectively. Ash values such as total ash was with reference to the air-dried drug. recorded as 4.2%, water soluble ash was 3.3%, acid insoluble ash was 2.8% and sulphated ash was recorded as 3.2% respectively. (vii) Water soluble extractive value Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of water 4.2.2 Extractive values of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, shaking frequently during The results of extractive values of leaves and stem of Memecylon umbellatum the first 6 h and allowing to stand for 18 h. Thereafter, filtered rapidly taking by batch process and successive extraction method recorded were given precautions against loss of water, evaporated 25 ml of the filtrate to dryness (Table 2). in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish, dried at 105oC and weighed. Calculated the % of water soluble extractive with reference to the air-dried drug. Table 2. Extractive values of leaves and stem of M. umbellatum

S. No. Solvents Extractive values Successive process Leaves Stem Macerated 5 g of the air-dried drug, coarsely powdered, with 100 ml of i. Batch process solvent of the specified strength in a closed flask for 24 h, shaking frequently 1 Petroleum ether 2.3 % 2.5 % 2 Hexane 2.7 % 2.6 % during the first 6 h and allowing to stand for 18 h. Thereafter, filtered rapidly 3 Benzene 3.6 % 4.2 % taking precautions against loss of solvent, evaporated 25 ml of the filtrate to 4 Chloroform 5.5 % 5.8 % dryness in a tared flat-bottomed shallow dish, dried at 105oC and weighed. 5 Ethyl acetate 6.2 % 6.0 % The air-dried drug was macerated with various solvents like petroleum ether, 6 Acetone 6.0 % 6.5 % solvent ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and water successively. 7 Carbon tetrachloride 6.4 % 7.2 % Then, finally calculated the % extractive value for each solvent with reference 8 Ethanol 10.4 % 9.7 % 9 Methanol 14.5 % 13.4 % to the air-dried drug. 10 Water 16.2 % 15.3% ii. Successive method Fluorescence Analysis 1 Petroleum ether 2.3 % 2.5 % Fluorescence analysis was carried out by following the methods of Pratt and 2 Chloroform 4.5 % 4.8 % 3 Ethanol 9.8 % 8.5 % Chase[8]. The analysis of powder and extract under day light is unreliable due to lack of fluorescence. So it is evaluated under near and far UV. (i) Leaves In Batch process, highest extractive value was recorded in water as 16.2% a) Fluorescence analysis of extracts followed by methanol 14.5 % and ethanol as 10.4 %, while moderate extrac- To analyze the fluorescence of extracts, it was diluted with their respective tive value was recorded in carbon tetrachloride as 6.4 % followed by ethyl solvent and examined by the use of non-fluorescence cell. acetate as 6.2 %, acetone as 6.0 %, chloroform as 5.5 %, benzene as 3.6 %, hexane as 2.7 % and while lowest extractive value was recorded in petroleum b) Fluorescence analysis of powder ether as 2.3 % respectively. In Successive method, highest extractive value The fluorescence analysis of powder was carried out by mixing the was recorded in ethanol as 9.8% followed by chloroform as 4.5% and petro- powder with various chemical reagents and observing it under daylight, near leum ether as 2.3% respectively. UV and far UV. (ii) Stem In Batch process, highest extractive value was recorded in water as 15.3 %

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 8.August 2012 4266-4270 Subban Murugesan et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(8),4266-4270 followed by methanol as 13.4 % and ethanol as 9.7 %, moderate extractive DISCUSSION value was recorded in carbon tetrachloride as 7.2 %, acetone as 6.5 %, ethyl Traditional medicines play an important role in our day to day life but only acetate as 6.0 %, chloroform as 5.8 %, benzene as 4.2 %, hexane as 2.6 % and a few polyherbal formulations are accepted in modern medicine due to lack of petroleum ether as 2.5 % respectively. In successive method, highest extrac- accurate method for their standardization and evaluation[9]. The main aim of tive value was recorded in ethanol as 8.5% followed by chloroform as 4.8% Pharmacognostic study is to assess the true identity of the raw material, and petroleum ether as 2.5% respectively. which would reduce drastically many errors in wrong identification and handling of the final product for the required standard[10]. Strict standardiza- Florescence analysis tion procedures and pharmacognostical studies of medicinal plants would The results of florescence analysis of leaves and stem of Memecylon reduce drastically much of the accidents in wrong prescriptions of traditional umbellatum in various solvents recorded were given (Table 3). herbal medicines. To ensure reproducible quality of herbal products, proper control of starting material is utmost essential. WHO has developed guide- Table 3. Florescence analysis on leaves and stem of M. umbellatum in lines for carrying out standardization procedures of raw herbal products, various solvents. which basically include pharmacognostical, physico-chemi- S.No Solvents Florescence color cal, pharmacological and toxicological methods to standard- Day light UV-light ize certain herbal material[4]. Leaves Stem Leaves Stem Various physicochemical parameters are established to vali- 1. Acetone Dark green Green Brownish green Florescent dark green 2. Benzene Light brown Pale green Florescent brown Florescent brown date standardization data of M. umbellatum in herbal drug 3. Carbon tetrachloride Colorless Pale green Florescent green Pale green industry. The test for loss on drying determines both water 4. Chloroform Light brown Pale green Florescent brown Florescent brown and volatile matter present in it. While the different ash val- 5. Ethyl acetate Green Pale green Florescent green Florescent green 6. Ethanol Florescent green Dark green Florescent green Florescent green ues represent inorganic salts naturally occurring in the crude 7. Hexane Pale green Green Florescent Pale brown Pale green drug. As far as extractive value is concerned, higher values 8. Isopropanol Pale green Green Florescent Pale green Florescent pale green were recorded in high polarity solvents such as in alcohol, 9. Methanol Pale green Dark green Florescent green Florescent pale green water which revealed the presence of high polarity com- 10. n-butanol Pale green Green Florescent green Florescent green 11. Petroleum ether Dark green Pale green Pale green Florescent green pound in the plant material. In supporting this view Sultana 12. Water Green Green Florescent green Florescent green et al.[11], reported that solvents affect the plant materials during extraction process and 80% methanol, 80% ethanol exhibited better antioxidant activities and higher phenolic contents. Fluores- (i) Leaves cence analysis represents the characteristic colour under illumination which In leaves, under day light condition, dark green was observed in acetone, light will be useful in identification of impurities in crude drug[12]. These forms brown in benzene, light brown in chloroform, florescent green in ethanol, first report to detect the impurities on this selected plant. pale green in hexane, isopropanol, methanol and n-butanol, while green color was observed in water. But under UV-light, brownish green was observed in In anatomical study, the transverse section of the leaf with anomocytic acetone, florescent brown in benzene and chloroform, florescent green car- stomata, straight (5 – 7 sided) polygonal cells of upper epidermis and smaller bon tetrachloride, ethyl acetate, ethanol, methanol and n-butanol, florescent cells of lower epidermis, dorsiventral leaf arrangement, mass of sclereids in pale brown was observed in hexane while florescent pale green was observed pith, calcium oxalate crystals in the palisade region, of the lamina, one or two isopropanol respectively. layers of loosely arranged thin walled parenchymatous spongy mesophyll tissue cells, presence of glandular trichomes depicted the diagnostic charac- (ii) Stem ters of the family Melastomataceae[13]. In this species, Calcium oxalate crys- In stem, under day light condition, green colour was observed in acetone, tals are usually clustered as in the case of other genera such as Beccarianthus, hexane, isopropanol and water, pale green was observed in benzene, carbon Belinda, Calycogonium, Centradenia, Henriettea, Henriettella, Kibessia, tetrachloride, ethylacetate, ethanol, and petroleum ether, dark green was Loreya, Memecylon, Mouriria, Myriaspora, Pternandra. While Xue-Cheng[14] observed in ethanol and methanol respectively. But under UV-light, flores- reported trichosclererids in for authentitic identification Camellia sinensis. cent dark green was observed in acetone, florescent brown was observed in In addition, the sclereids are associated with the termination of veins rather benzene, chloroform, florescent green was observed in ethyl acetate, ethanol, than lying in the mesophyll independently and provide a good character for n-butanol, petroleum ether and water, while florescent pale green was ob- species identification as suggested by Rao and Malaviya[15]. Thus the crys- served in isopropanol, methanol respectively. The results of florescence tals and sclereids are considered as diagnostic value in identification of crude analysis of leaves and stem of Memecylon umbellatum in various chemical drugs in herbal drug industry. Similarly the transverse section of stem with reagents recorded were given in the (Table 4). wide fissure periderm in bark, collapsed phloem and inner narrow zone of Table 4. Florescence analysis on leaves and stem of M. umbellatum in noncollapsed phloem, crushed phloem elements filled with tannin, compact various chemical reagents radial rows of sieve elements revealed the diagnostic characters of this spe- S. No Chemical reagents Florescence color cies for identification in crude form. Powder form of Day light UV –light leaves and stem was pale green in colour, without any Leaves Stem Leaves Stem odour, no bitter taste, smooth and slippery in texture. Powder analysis showed the sclerenchymatous fibres 1. Powder as such Pale green Pale greenish brown Dark brown Pale brown 2. 50% Sulphuric acid Pale yellow Pale yellow Florescent green Florescent green and vessel elements in enormous number. Thus diag- 3. 50% Hydrochloric acid Pale yellow Yellow Florescent green Greenish brown nostic features have been evolved to identify and to 4. 50% Nitric acid Yellow Pale yellow Florescent green Pale yellow differentiate the M. umbellatum from other crude drugs, 5. 50% Ferric chloride Green Dark green Black Dark green adulterants and substitution in herbal quality control 6. 50% Ammonia Brown Pale brown Dark brown Dark brown 7. 50% Sodium hydroxide Brown Pale brown Dark brown Yellowish dark brown and thus provide a first report in herbal science and 8. 50% Pot. hydroxide Brown Pale brown Dark brown Yellowish dark brown technology. 9. 50% Iodine Green Greenish yellow Florescent green Florescent green 10. 50% Glacial acetic acid Pale green Yellowish brown Brown Florescent green

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 8.August 2012 4266-4270 Subban Murugesan et al. / Journal of Pharmacy Research 2012,5(8),4266-4270 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 8. Pratt, R.T. and Chase, E.R., Fluorescence powder vegetable drugs The authors are thankful to the Management of A.V.V.M. Sri Pushpam Col- in particular to development system of identification. J. Am. Pharm. lege (Autonomous), Poondi – 613 503, for providing them necessary facili- Assoc., 38: 1949, 324-331. ties and support to carry out this work. 9. Bhaskar, V.H. and Balakrishnan, N. Pharmacognostic studies on Pergularia daemia roots. Pharmaceutical Biology 48(4): 2010, REFERENCES: 427–432. 1. Planning Commission, Report of the task force on conservation 10. Dinesh Kumar C: Pharmacognosy can help minimize accidental and sustainable use of medicinal plants. Planning Commission, misuse of herbal medicine. Current Sci., 93: 2007, 1356–1358. Govt. of India, New Delhi 2000. 11. Sultana, B., Anwar, F. and Ashraf, M. Effect of Extraction Solvent/ 2. Venkata Rao, E. Drug discovery from plants. Curr. Sci. 93(8): Technique on the Antioxidant Activity of Selected Medicinal Plant 2003, 1060. Extracts. Molecules 14, 2009, 2167-2180. 3. AICRPE, Ethnobiology in India – A Status Report, AICRPE, Min- 12. Evans, W.C. 2006. Trease and Evans Pharmacognosy. Fifth Edi- istry of Environmental and Forests, Govt. of India, New Delhi, tion, Elsevier, New Delhi. Fabricant, D.S. and Farnsworth, N.R. 1994. 2001. The value of plants used in traditional Medicine for drug 4. WHO, Quality control methods for Medicinal Plant Materials, discovery. Environ. Health Perspectives, 109: 2006, 69-75. World Health Organization, Geneva, 1998. 13. Metcalfe, C. R. and Chalk, L. Anatomy of the Dicotyledons. Vol. 1, 5. Anonymous, 1998. The Wealth of India, Publication and Informa- Clarendon Press, Oxford. 1957. tion Directorate, CSIR, Hillside, New Delhi, India, 1998. 14. Xue-Cheng, Y. Studies in mesophyll scelerids of Camellia sinensis 6. Khandelwal, K.R., Practical Pharmacognosy. 5th edn., Nirali L. Acta Botanica Sinica 23(4): 1981, 273-277. Prakashan, Pune, pp. 2005, 149-154. 15. Rao, A.R. and Malaviya, M. The distribution, structure and on- 7. Kokate, C.K., Practical Pharmacognosy. 4th edn., Vallabh Prakashan, togeny of scelerids in some species of Araucaria. Proc. Nat. Inst. New Delhi, pp. 2003, 122-126. Sci. 30(1): 1963, 25-35. Source of support: Nil, Conflict of interest: None Declared

Journal of Pharmacy Research Vol.5 Issue 8.August 2012 4266-4270