Pharmacognostic studies of the leaves and stem of Careya arborea Roxb.

Objective:To study detailed pharmacognostic profile of leaves and stem of Careya arborea(C. arborea) Roxb.(Lecthyidaceae),an important medicinal plant in the Indian system of medicine. Methods:Leaf and stem samples of C.arborea were studied by macroscopical,microscopical, physicochemical,phytochemical,fluorescence analysis of powder of the plant and other methods for standardization recommended by WHO.Results:Maeroscopieally,the leaves are simple, broadly obovate in shape,acuminate apex with crenate,dentate margin,petioles(0.1-1.8 cm) long. Microscopically,the leaf showed the presence of median large size vascular bundle covered with fibrous bundle sheath,arrangement of xylem in cup shape and presence of cortical vascular bundle, patches of sclerenchyma,phloem fibers in groups and brown pigment containing cells in stem are some of the diagnostic features noted from anatomical study.Powder microscopy of leaf revealed the presence of parenchyma cells,xylem with pitted vessels and epidermis with anisocylic slomata.The investigations also included leaf surface data;quantitative leaf microscopy and fluorescence analysis. Physiochemical parameters such as loss on drying,swelling index,extractive values and ash values were also determined and results showed that total ash of the stem bark was about two times higher than leaf and water soluble extractive value of leaf and stem bark was two limes higher than alcohol soluble extractive value.Preliminaiy phytochemical screening showed the presence of triterpenoids, saponins,tannins and flavonoids.Conclusions:The results of the study can serve as a valuable source of information and provide suitable standards for identification of this plant material in future investigations and applications.