Histo-anatomical Study of Anisochilus carnosus (L.f.) Wall: An Indian Habitant

Indian habitant Anisochilus carnosus (L.f.) wall is an annual shrub found in the high altitude regions. The plant has been of interest to researchers due to its potency towards various pathological conditions. Pharmacognostical, physicochemical and phytochemical evaluation of the leaves of A. carnosus was carried out to determine its qualitative and quantitative standards. Histological parameters revealed the dorsiventral nature of the leaf shows upper and lower epidermis with numerous multicellular covering and collapsed trichomes. A layer of palisade cells, spongy parenchyma embedded with few vascular strands and yellow color oil cells. Midrib showed the presence of patches of collenchyma, abundant trichomes identical to that of lamina and prominent bicollateral vascular bundles. Physico chemical parameters were determined and found to be total ash 89.02%, acid-insoluble ash 1.39% and water-soluble ash were 73.3% w/w of dried powder. The extractive values were found to be 6.19% w/w and 7.17% w/w for water and ethanol, respectively. The moisture content of the sample was found to be 15.89% w/w and foaming index was found to be 212.76. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of glycosides, saponins, tannins, phytosterols and volatile oil. Histological, physico-chemical and phytochemical evaluations carried out help to lay down the standards to the identification and authentication of this valuable crude drug.