Author(s):

Bindu Gopalkrishnan, Deb Papiya and Roy Chiranjeev

Abstract: Moringa oleifera Lam. fruit are used as vegetables.It is commonly known as Drumstick/ Shevgha (Family Moringaceae). The seeds yield oil commercially known as ‘Ben oil’ which resembles olive oil. The seeds have antibacterial properties, used in stomach pain, ulcers, joint pain and sunburns. In the present investigation, pharmacognostical studies of dry seeds were carried out. It involves macroscopy, microscopy, histochemical analysis, powder study, physicochemical evaluation and phytochemical analysis. The dry seeds are brownish in colour with three papery wings. The transverse section of seeds shows, papery wings with outer and inner epidermis. The mesophyll regions are with reticulate parenchyma and oil globules. The testa consists of outer and inner epidermis, reticulate parenchyma, oil globules and sclereids. The cotyledon has thin walled parenchyma smaller in size and filled with oil globules. Powder microscopy showed the presence of oil globules, reticulate parenchyma, thin walled parenchyma and annular vessels. The physicochemical study revealed total ash 3.45 % w/w, water soluble ash 2.25% w/w, acid insoluble ash 0.35% w/w, water soluble extractive value 6.5% w/w and alcohol soluble extractive value 13.8% w/w. Histochemistry and Phytochemical screening of aqueous and alcoholic extracts showed presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, oil, proteins, etc. The diagnostic characters of seeds would provide necessary information regarding its identity. The phytochemical evaluation provided information of the phytoconstituents present in this crude drug. These will help in identification, authenticity and to lay down the pharmacopoeial standards of the said plant part.

Pages: 741-744  |  1224 Views  541 Downloads

Download (1071KB)