Development of Pharmacognostic Standardization Parameters for the Quality control of Aerial parts of Senecio laetus in accordance to WHO Guidelines

Abstract

The current study was considered with the aim to set up the standardization parameters for Senecio laetus for its identification and to determine its purity and quality. Innumerable parameters for the standardization of plants like macroscopy, microscopy and physicochemical parameters, fluorescence studies and preliminary phytochemical analysis were accomplished. Macroscopical and microscopical studies were carried according to the day-to-day laboratory norms. The guidelines of World Health Organization were considered for phytochemical screening and florescence analysis of the plant. Microscopy of leaf and stem helped to reveal the anatomical structures, which are to be reported for the first time for this plant species. Analysis of the powders of leaf, stem and flower revealed the presence of epidermal cells with stomata, trichomes, lignified vessels, calcium oxalate crystals, starch granules, xylem vessels, parenchyma cells, cork cells and pollen grains. Phytochemical analysis ascertained the presence of carbohydrates, phenols, glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, etc. Physicochemical parameters like ash values, extractive values, loss on drying, foreign matter analysis, foaming index, determination of pH and fluorescence were studied. All these parameters are valuable in differentiating the powdered drug. The conclusions from these experiments will help in providing the values of various parameters for the standardization and identification of S. laetus.