Aishwarya J Bhange, Rutuja D Walke, Yogita B Shinde and Dnyanesh A Galande

The aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis Linn have been reported to have immunomodulatory, anti-bacterial and hair growth promoting activities. There are no reports on pharmacognostical and phytochemical investigations of these aerial roots. The aim of the present study was evaluation of sectional microscopy, powder characteristics, preliminary phytochemical screening of successive solvent extracts (petroleum ether, toluene, dichloromethane, methanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts) of the aerial roots. The results of sectional microscopy indicated the presence of cork cells, phloem and xylem. The powder characteristics indicated the presence of calcium oxalate crystals, lignified fibres. Preliminary phytochemical screening indicated the presence of flavonoids, phenolics and saponins was done.

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