Anatomy and Pharmacognosy ofLeptadenia Reticulata, an important medicinal plant of India

Abstract

Leptadenia reticulata, an important medicinal plant of India, was subjected to a detailed pharmacognostical analysis to locate distinguishing biomarkers. Multicellular uniseriate smooth trichomes, bi-collateral vascular bundles, anisocytic stomata and absence of any cell inclusions were the features seen in leaf. Stem possessed broad patches of sclereids in the pericycle and irregular patches of intraxylary phloem and internal phloem consisted of radial rows of angular cells with starch grains. Secondary xylem consisting of large vessels and tracheids and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate in cortex are very distinct. Large sclereids, starch grains and prismatic calcium oxalate crystals in cortex, bast and parenchyma differentiate roots. X-shaped pits and multiseriate medullary rays were seen in stem whereas roots possessed simple pits and mostly uniseriate medullary rays. Other micromorphological characters were stomatal index 11.67±0.68, palisade ratio 6.0±0.39, vein islet number 9.5±0.97, and vein termination number 11–12.