Pharmacognostic Characterization for Taxonomic Identification of Bacopa monnieri (L.) Wettst. for Quality Control

Life Sciences-Botany for Medical Science

Abstract

Pharmacognostic  studies  played  a crucial  role  in checking  the possibilities  and threat  of adulteration  among natural drugs by macroscopic and microscopic examination of plant materials. Organoleptic characters, macroscopic and microscopic  studies,  physicochemical  and  fluorescence  analysis  of  Bacopa  monnieri  (L.)Wettst.  has  been  carried  out  to determine  the anatomical  and pharmacognostic  portrayal.  The organoleptic  studies revealed that B. monnieri  is green in colour, bears a characteristic smell, leaves have smooth soft texture and bitter in taste. Stomata of anomocytic type and stomatal index was 17.77 and 18.18 in upper and lower epidermis respectively. Glandular trichome was present on the leaf surface and petiole. Study of powder microscopic analysis and fluorescence characteristics reveals round and oval starch granules, sclerenchymatous cells, lignified fibres, vascular bundles, spherical oil globules, raphides, druses, thin fibres and compounds oil droplets, xylem vessels with spiral and reticulates thickenings in the powder of different part of the plant. Observations  revealed  that  the  study  has  a  great  potential  in  unraveling  the  identification  keys  of  plants  species  by highlighting various pharmacognostic aids.