Studies on Gymnema Sylvestre – a Medicinally Important Plant of the Family Asclepiadaceae

Gymnema sylvestre (Retc.) R. Br. belongs to the family Asclepiadaceae, having medicinal values selected for the present study, as it is very common in Western Ghats of Maharashtra (India). It has a reputation in traditional systems of medicine as a stomachic, diuretic and as a remedy to control diabetes. Present investigation includes morphology, histology, quantitative microscopy and phytochemistry of G. sylvestre collected from various ecological conditions. Results indicated that Plants growing under various ecological conditions showed histological similarities, but size and thickness of leaves, quantity of gymnemic acids, alkaloids and proteins content were different. Results of root zone soil analysis indicated that, there was positive correlation between available k and gymnemic acids content of G. sylvestre. The results of this investigation will be helpful for the correct botanical identification of plants and also different sources of medicine and Pharmaceutical industries.