Pharmacognostical studies ofBauhinia variegatalinn root

Abstract

The present study deals with the macroscopical and microscopical studies of Bauhinia variegata Linn root. Some distinct and different characters were observed with sections of young, thick and very old and thick roots. The anatomy of the root was studied by taking transverse section. Secondary phloem and secondary xylem were seen distinctly. Secondary phloem had fairly wide rays, dense masses of phloem Þ bers and radial rows of phloem elements. Secondary xylem had much wider, thin-walled vessels which were either solitary or in radial multiples. The xylem Þ bers constituted gelatinous type and normal type. Calcium oxalate crystals were predominantly prismatic type. Powder microscopical examination showed presence of xylem parenchyma cells, xylem Þ bers and vessel elements. Physicochemical parameters and preliminary phytochemical studies of the root powder were also carried out. The present study on pharmacognostical investigation of B. variegata L. root might be useful to supplement information in regard to its identiÞ cation parameters assumed signiÞ cantly in the way of acceptability of herbal drugs in present scenario lacking regulatory laws to control quality of herbal drugs. Key words: Bauhinia variegata, root