Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Dried Leaf Powder of Cardiospermum Halicacabum Linn. and Dried Seed Hull Powder of Hydnocarpus Pentandra (buch.-ham.) Oken

The aim of this study was to establish pharmacognostic profiles of dried leaf powder of Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. and dried seed hull powder of Hydnocarpus pentandra (Buch.-Ham.) Oken. The present study investigates various qualitative and quantitative parameters like microscopic evaluation of plant powder, physicochemical constants and preliminary phytochemical analysis. Microscopic evaluation of powders of both the plant materials revealed presence of various cellular structures and components. Powder of dried leaves of Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. showed the presence of calcium oxalate crystals, trichomes, xylem vessels, etc. Powder of dried seed hulls of Hydnocarpus pentandra (Buch.Ham.) Oken. showed the presence of compound starch grains, fragmented oil cells, stone cells etc. Physicochemical constants such as the percentage of total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash and moisture content, loss on drying, alcohol soluble extractive and water soluble extractive were evaluated for both the powdered plant materials and the values were documented. Preliminary phytochemical analysis for both the powdered plant materials was carried out to check the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins, terpenoids, caridiac glycosides, steroids and flavonoids. The qualitative tests revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids in both the plant materials. However, steroids were found to be present only in dried leaf powder of Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn. Pharmacognosy is a simple and reliable tool, for obtaining complete information about crude drug. The present study establishes the pharmacognostic profiles of the selected plant materials which will help in standardization of crude plant material with respect to quality, purity and identity.