TAXONOMIC AND PHARMACOGNOSTIC AUTHENTICATION OF PROBLEMATIC MEDICINAL PLANTS USED AS HERBAL MEDICINE

Abstract

The present research project pertains to detailed taxonomic and pharmacognositc studies of seven herbal medicines namely Neem (Azadirachta indica) the officinal part of this plant that is leaves and aerial parts used in traditional medicines for diabetes, skin diseases, malaria, hepatitis etc.; Green Tea (Camellia sinensis) the leaves of this plant are used for digestion, anaxiety, cholesterol and pain; Sana Makki (Cassia angustifolia) the aerial parts of this plant are used for constipation, piles, migraine, heart diseases etc.; Brahmi (Centella asiatica) the aerial parts are used for wounds, digestion, mental depression etc. ; Lemon Grass (Cymbopogon citratus) the aerial parts are used for cough, cold, fever, flu and allergy; Henna (Lawsonia inermis) the leaves and powdered leaves are used for hair, jaundice and skin diseases and Tobacco (Nicotiana tabaccum) the leaves are used for wounds, baldness, pneumonia etc. The present study was aimed to investigate indigenous medicinal uses, marketing status, macro and microscopical characters (LM & SEM) of pollen, foliar epidermal anatomy, behavior of powdered drug on treatment with different chemical reagents, fluorescence analysis (under visible & UV light) and preliminary phytochmeical tests to differentiate the genuine source from its adulterant. Such investigation may provide basis for authentication, standardization and characterization of genuine drug. The details of information regarding the nomenclature, distribution, organoleptic analysis, macro and microscopic characters, solubility tests, fluorescence analysis, preliminary phytochmeical screening and pictorial guide established in this study facilitate in authentication of genuine drug Azadirachta indica (Neem) from its substitute Melia azedarach, Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) from Chenopodium ambrosoides, Cassia angustifolia (Sana Makki) from Cassia obtusifolia, Centella asiatica (Brahmi) from Bacopa monnieri, Cymbopogon citratus (Lemon Grass) from Cymbopogon jwarancusa, Lawsonia inermis (Henna) from Mirabilus jalapa and Nicotiana tabaccum (Tobbaco) from Helianthus annuus. It is concluded form this study that such type of findings will be useful in preparation of monographs on these plants particularly and establishing taxo-pharmacognostic standardization on identification, quality, purity and classification of the medicinal plants as per WHO guidelines for drug discovery development at global perspectives.