Abstract
Fadogia cienkowskii is a shrub used in folklore medicine. Evaluations of the leaves were carried out to determine the macroscopic, microscopic, chemomicroscopic, physicochemical and phytochemical profiles using standard methods. The macroscopic examination revealed fresh leaves are green, odourless with a bitter taste. The leaf is oblong-elliptic in shape and sub-acute at apex; rounded at the base with entire margin. Microscopic examination indicated the presence of calcium oxalate crystals, starch grains, xylem, phloem, trichomes, epidermal cells, collenchyma cells, paracytic stomata and reticulate vessels. Chemomicroscopic characters present are lignin, starch, cellulose, mucilage and calcium oxalate crystals. The physicochemical evaluation indicated 4.6% moisture content, 1.4% total ash value, 0.8% acid insoluble ash value, 0.4% water soluble ash value, 7.8% water soluble extractive value and 9.0% alcohol soluble extractive value. The phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of tannins (17.6%), saponins (1%), glycosides (2.5%), alkaloids (3.3%), steroids (1.1%), terpenoids (6.6%), phenols (8.8%), flavonoids (17.7%) and the absence of hydrogen cyanide. This study is useful in pharmacognostic standardization of this plant. The parameters laid down will be useful and suitable for compilation of a monograph and help in identifying this plant in its crude form and prevent it from adulteration and ensure its therapeutic efficacy. Key words: Fadogia cienkowskii, pharmacognostic, phytochemical, physicochemical, macroscopic, microscopic, chemomicroscopic.  
Highlights
Medicinal plants are important in healthcare system throughout the world for their proven and effective therapeutic properties (Helmstädter and Staiger, 2014)
The present study reports the detailed pharmacognostic, physicochemical and phytochemical evaluation of the leaves of F. cienkowskii Schweinf (Rubiaceae)
The leaf is oblong-elliptic in shape and sub-acute at apex; rounded at the base with entire margin
Summary
Medicinal plants are important in healthcare system throughout the world for their proven and effective therapeutic properties (Helmstädter and Staiger, 2014). The broad use of herbal drugs in conventional medicines, standardization becomes an important measure for ensuring quality, purity and authenticity of the crude drugs. First step in this context is authentification of plant species which can be done by morphological and anatomical analysis or pharmacognostic analysis. The present study reports the detailed pharmacognostic, physicochemical and phytochemical evaluation of the leaves of F. cienkowskii Schweinf (Rubiaceae) These parameters will be useful in complete authentification and standardization of the crude extract, which can guarantee the quality and purity of the drug and maintain its therapeutic efficacy (Figure 1)
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