Pharmacognostical studies of Eriolaena lushingtonii Dunn. Leaf and Stem bark: A Vulnerable medicinal tree taxon of Eastern Ghats

The present study highlights the pharmacognostical parameters such as macroscopic, microscopic characters, physic-chemical evaluation of leaf and stem bark of Eriolaena lushingtonii. The physico-chemical analysis revealed that ash, moisture content is more in stem bark. Powder microscopic studies of leaf revealed the presence of characteristic anisocytic stomata, stellate glandular trichomes and pitted and spiral vessels. Stem bark possess blunt end fibres, stone cells and prismatic crystals. Flourescence studies of leaf and stem bark powder exhibited characteristic colours in visible light, UV-short and long wavelengths. Histochemical studies confirmed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, starch grains, oil globules and mucilage in the tissues of leaf and stem bark. The finding of this study will help in the pharmacognostical identification and standardization of the drug in the crude form and also distinguish the drug from its adulteration.