Botanical and phytochemical standardization of Fumaria vaillantii Loisel

Fumaria vaillantii Loisel. (Family-Fumariaceae), a well-known crude drug is used in Indian system of traditional medicine for diverse pharmacological activities like anthelmintic, antipsoriatic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective activity, etc. This study presents pharmacognostic and phytochemical evaluation of whole plant of F. vaillantii to establish identification markers. Microscopy showes presence of starch grains, anomocytic stomata, parenchyma with thick and beaded wall, septate fibre with narrow lumen and blunt tips and vessels with pitted and spiral thickenings. Total ash was ≥ 5 % and alcohol soluble extractive value was two times higher than petroleum ether soluble extractive. Presence of protopine and rutin in methanol extract of whole plant at Rf 0.51 and 0.26 was observed and amount were 1.21± 0.07 and 1.03±0.0.6 mg/g, respectively. This helps in laying down botanical and phytochemical standards of F. vaillantii.