Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Cissus Quadrangularis L. Stem

Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae) is a common perennial climber also called Asthisamhara meaning bone setter is prescribed both in Ayurveda as well as Unani systems for its medicinal use. Pharmacognostic evaluation of Cissus quadrangularis stem revealed a stomatal index of 151 with Stephanocytic stomata in the epidermal peeling. The anatomical section of the stem showed deposits of characteristic acicular or needle shaped calcium oxalate crystals, raphides and intrafasicular cambium. The histochemical studies showed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, phenols and suberin. The phytochemical analysis of aqueous, petroleum ether and dichloromethane extracts were positive for alkaloids, phenol, steroids, flavanoids in all the extracts. The presence of sclerides, fiber sclerides epidermal cells, phloem with companion cells, ray fibers with pits, raphides, acicular and sand crystals of calcium oxalate were evident in powder analysis. Under 365nm UV green fluorescent emission was observed in acetic acid and methanol treated stem powder. INTRODUCTION: Plants are known to be the source of many chemical compounds. Medicinal plants were used by people of ancient cultures without knowledge of their active ingredients. The common practice of taking crude extract orally is laden with hazards as the extracts may contain some toxic constituents . Plants produce a diverse range of bioactive molecules making them a rich source of different types of medicines. Higher plants as sources of medicinal compounds have continued to play a dominant role in the maintenance of human health care since ancient times. Over 50% of all modern clinical drugs are of natural origin and natural products play a vital role in modern drug development in the pharmaceutical industry . Cissus quadrangularis L. (Vitaceae) is a common perennial climber, which is distributed throughout India particularly in tropical regions. It is one of the most frequently used indigenous medicinal plants in India. It is commonly known as Hadjod, Asthisamhara, Harjora, Vedhari, Hadbhanga, Vajravalli in Sanskrit, Kandvel in Marathi, Haddjor in Punjabi, Hadbhanga in Oria, Vedhari in Gujrati, Perandai in Tamil, Nalleru in Telugu and Veldgrap in Indian languages and in English it is called as Edible-stemmed Vine. It is also known as Vitis quadrangularis. It is prescribed both in Ayurveda as well as Unani systems for its medicinal use as an alternative, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, dyspeptic, digestive, tonic, analgesic in eye and ear diseases, and in the treatment of irregular menstruation. It is very useful in asthma, fractures and back pain.