PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDIES ON THE LEAVES OF “FICUS NATALENSIS”

Meghana H. C.*, T. Tamizh Mani and L. Shiju

ABSTRACT

In the present study, an attempt was made to investigate Pharmacognostical studies on the leaves of Ficus natalensis (Moraceae). The plant was identified and authenticated by Dr. V. Rama Rao, Research officer (Botany), Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Bengaluru. The macroscopical studies have been carried out on the leaves. The Characters of transverse section of leaves shows The mesophyll is dorsiventral and is differentiated into the upper palisade and lower spongy zone. The palisade mesophyll comprises 1-2 layers of densely packed, columnar parenchyma cells with abundant chloroplasts. Cluster crystals are present in the palisade tissue. The parenchyma cells of the spongy mesophyll have very few chloroplasts and are loosely arranged with large intracellular spaces, with a tendency to be braciform, giving a micellar pattern appearance. Single layer of upper and lower epidermal cells with cuticle; upper epidermis contains styloid and prismatic crystals. The upper epidermis is followed by 3 to 4 layers of collenchyma tissue, which also continues as a band above the lower epidermis. Vascular tissue comprises of closed collateral vascular bundle. The perivascular region is embedded with the ring of the sclerenchymatous ring, surrounding the vascular tissue. Physicochemical parameters such as moisture content, total ash value, sulphated ash value, Acid insoluble ash value, water-soluble ash value and extractive value were determined. These can serve in qualifying and differentiating the plant. This research provides valuable insights that will benefit future researchers in their endeavors.

Keywords: Ficus natalensis, Macroscopy, Microscopy, Physicochemical parameter.