Pharmacognostic and phytochemical evaluation of Antiaris toxicaria (Pers). Lesch
C Porchselvi and S Muthulakshmi
Background:Antiaris toxicaria (Pers). Lesch. (Moraceae) historically has been used as arrow poison and also for a variety of medicinal purposes. Despite the popular medicinal utilization, still no conclusive study has been reported so far regarding the pharmacognostical standardization.
Aim: Thus, the present study was focused to scientifically establish a standard monograph of Antiaris toxicaria (Pers). Lesch on the basis of pharmacognostical and phytochemical parameters.
Materials and methods: The detailed macroscopic and qualitative as well as quantitative microscopic characters and phytochemical characters of Antiaris toxicaria (Pers). Lesch were analysed.
Results: The morphological characters of Antiaris toxicaria were established. The transverse section of leaf shows adaxial epidermis has mucillagenous hairs, the palisade is single layered, the cells are wide and columnar. Calcium oxalate crystals are abundant in the ground cells of the petiole. Phytochemical parameters of Antiaris toxicaria (Pers). Lesch showed loss on drying 7.01% and total ash 4.97%.
Conclusion: The present study provided useful information about its correct identity and evaluation. It helps to diagnose drugs from the plant.