Abstract

PHYTO - PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF ECHINOPS ECHINATUS ROXB. ROOT

Alpa Nakum, Preeti Pandya, Akanksha Sharma* and Dhara Lakkad

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Abstract

Many plants in our surroundings are being used traditionally, but there are no references available in classics of those drugs. One among the plant is Echinops echinatus Roxb. (family: Asteraceae) and known as Indian Globe Thistle. It is an erect branched herb about a meter high. It has short, stout stems, branching from the base, covered with white cottony hair. Alternately arranged oblong, deeply pinnatifid leaves are 7-12 cm long. Flower-heads occur in solitary white spherical balls, 3-5 cm across. Petals of the tiny white flowers are 5 mm long. Flowers are surrounded by straight, strong, white bristles. Its root is used in many conditions regionally all over India and it is available in all dry habitats. In Gujarat it is used as Vrushya dravya (aphrodisiacs), Dhatupushtikar dravya (compliance of seven dhatus), in Mootra kruchcha (difficult micturition), Shira shoola (headache) and Sandhivata (arthritis). As it is very useful and available plant in many disorders, it was thought to undertake this study in detail. Aim: The present work was carried out to investigate and authenticate the drug by its pharmacognostical profile. Materials and Methods: The fresh roots of Echinops echinatus Roxb. from the family Astaraceae was procured for the study. Transverse section and its powder, histochemical tests and phytochemical investigations were done. Result: The detail transverse section of root showed outermost 3-4 layered lignified uneven dark brown colored cork, centrally xylem made up of vessels, paranchymas, fibres covered with wide ring of phloem, medullary rays multiseriated oil deposition observed throughout the section. Conclusion: Drug taken was identified as Echinops echinatus Roxb. Root with its typical morphological character like lignified parenchyma in cortex, pitted vessels & oil globules.

Keywords: Echinops echinatus, Folklore, Organoleptic, Pharmacognosy.