The pharmacognostical studies of Berberis aristata DC

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the Pharmacognostical studies of Berberis Aristata DC. Material & Methods: The plant was carefully collected and air dried under shade. The air dried materials was powdered and passed through 40 mesh sieve size and stored in an airtight container for further use. All WHO quality control standardization parameters like Microscopical characters, Macroscopical characters, Ash value, Extractive value, successive extraction, moisture content, foaming index, swelling index, fluorescence Analysis were perform according to standard prescribed methods. Results & Discussion: The current study was therefore carried out to provide requisite pharmacognostic details. Morphological, Microscopical, Physiochemical and Phytochemical aspects were carried out to identify the diagnostic features of B. asiatica root. Some of the diagnostic features of the root drug noted from the Microscopical study; lignified fiber, pitted sclerieds, prismatic calcium oxalate crystal, stone cells and medullary rays. Physicochemical studies revealed the presence of total ash value 3.10%; acid insoluble ash 0.4%; alcoholic extractive 10.8%; water soluble extractive 15.16%. Phytochemical screening shows the tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, starch so many chemical constituents present in Berberis aristata root. Conclusion: The study indicates that all standardization parameters of Berberis aristata was successfully evaluate and theses have diagnostic importance in authentication and quality control of Berberis aristata DC for the further use of this drug.Key words: Berberis asiatica, daruharidra, microscopical, physiochemical studies, phytochemical screening