Abstract

A REVIEW ON PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYSIOCHEMICAL STUDY OF LOBELIA NICOTIANAEFOLIA - A FOLK HERB

*Dr. Poonam Dhruv, Dr. Narayan Bavalatti, Dr. Manjusha Rajagopala and Dr. Pankaj Kundal

Abstract

Any plant or the plant product which is to be used as medicine needs to be studied before administration. It helps to differentiate between closely related species of same genus and also helps to standardize the drug which is essential for knowing its action. Lobelia nicotianaefolia is a medicinal plant found in the Western ghat region of Karnataka (India), with a common name Heddumbe. It is also known as Devanala or Indian tobacco which is commonly found in Deccan, Konkan and Western Ghats, at altitudes of 900–2100m. The root powder was evaluated for different physical constant like pH, Loss on drying, Total ash, Water soluble extractives, Alcohol soluble extractives. The transverse section of Lobelia nicotianaefolia root was taken and this section was stained with iodine and safranin stain. The microscopy of transverse section of the drug revealed the presence of vessels, oil glands, medullaryrays, and vascular bundles. The microscopy of powder of Lobelia nicotianaefolia revealed the presence of vessels, oil glands etc.

Keywords: Lobelia nicotianaefolia (heyene), Devanala, pharmacognostic study, folk herb.