Pharmacognostical studies on the root of Anacyclus pyrethrum DC

World Health Organization (WHO) appreciated the importance of medicinal plants for public health care in developing nations. Anacyclus pyrethrum DC. roots have important role in the traditional Ayurvedic and Unani systems of holistic health and herbal medicine of the East. Especially the roots of A. pyrethrum are reported to have good medicinal values in traditional system of medicine. The present study highlights the pharmacognostical studies on roots including parameters such as taxonomical, macroscopic, microscopic characters, physico-chemical, ultra-violet analysis and chromatographic. The roots are brown in colour, cylindrical in shape with slightly aromatic odour and pungent taste and 7-15 cm in length, with a few hairy rootlets. Microscopical studies indicate the presence of periderm comprising three or four layers of rectangular suberised cells, canals up to 100 μm in diam., unique and characteristic secondary xylem. Powder of the root exhibited vessel elements are 190 μm long and 40 μm wide, tailed vessel elements 260 μm long and 20 μm wide, thick pieces of periderm are frequently seen, canals are several μm long and 5 μm thick and these are found to be additional features of diagnostic values. Ultra-violet and ordinary light analysis with different reagent is useful in identifying the drug in powder form. Physico-chemical evaluation gave, ash values, viz. total ash, acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash, and sulphated ash were 9.3, 7.6, 1.7, and 8.6%, respectively. Extractive values, viz. alcohol soluble extractive value, water soluble extractive and ether soluble extractive values were: 20.8, 8.8, and 3.2%, respectively. Loss on drying was 1.6%. Chromatographic studies of the alcoholic extract of root gave 10 phytoconstituents. This parameter can be utilized for quick identification of the drug and are particularly useful in the case of powdered forms and also contribute towards establishing pharmacopoeial standards.