Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION ON THE LEAVES OF PLECTRANTHUS MOLLIS SPRENG. (SYN. P. INCANUS LINK.)

G. Ramu*, T.R. Shantha, G. Krishna Mohan, M. Prathapa Reddy, K.N. Jayaveera

ABSTRACT

The study was carried out to perform the pharmacognostic evaluation of Plectranthus mollis Spreng leaf. The pharmacognostic evaluation was done in terms of Macroscopy, Microscopy, Powder study, Physico-chemical and Preliminary phytochemical studies. Microscopically leaves showed the presence of prominent abundant uniseriate to glandular trichomes, oil globules in the parenchymatous region and midrib region, ranunculaceous type of stomata towards the lower side of the epidermis, uniseriate trichomes of various lengths, characteristic short stalked glands with unicellular heads on both surfaces of the leaves, diverse kinds of clothing hairs and characteristic prominent short stalked glands with uni to bicelled and 4-celled heads which is a characteristic character of family Lamiaceae. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the powdered material showed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, phenols and tannins. The above findings will be useful in identification of the different species of Plectranthus.

Keywords: Pharmacognosy, evaluation, physico - chemical studies, Plectranthus mollis, leaves.