Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSY OF TORENIA CRUSTACEA (L.) CHAM. & SCHLTDL. -A LESSER-KNOWN TAXA FROM KARNATAKA

Dr. Shiva Manjunatha M. P.*, Dr. Suma C., Dr. Niharika Deka

Abstract

The increasing global interest in plant-based medicines underscores the need to systematically document and standardize lesser-known medicinal plants to ensure their efficacy, safety, and sustainable utilization. Torenia crustacea (L.) Cham. & Schltdl is a traditionally used medicinal plant from Karnataka, India, that remains scientifically understudied. This study provides a comprehensive pharmacognostic evaluation of T. crustacea, Fresh aerial parts were collected from the Tataguni estate (Bangalore) and subjected to macroscopic, microscopic, physicochemical, phytochemical, and fluorescence analyses using standard methods. Macroscopic examination revealed a quadrangular stem with prominent sclerenchymatous patches and a starch-rich pith. Microscopic investigation documented unicellular trichomes, multilayered collenchyma, well-differentiated palisade and spongy mesophyll, and scattered anomocytic stomata on leaf surfaces. Physico-chemical profiling of the powdered drug showed low foreign matter (1.2 %), moisture content (3.5 %), ash value (6.12 %), bulk density (0.384 g cm⁻³), specific gravity (0.6711 g cm⁻³), pH 5.9, aqueous extractive value (1.2 %) and ethanol extractive value (3.98 %). Preliminary phytochemical screening identified alkaloids, phytosterols, carbohydrates, saponins (aqueous extract), flavonoids (ethanol extract) and tannins, while fixed oils were absent. Fluorescence analysis with various reagents produced characteristic colour changes, further aiding authentication. The study establishes reliable pharmacognostic parameters for T. crustacea, supporting its reliable identification and future exploitation in herbal-medicine formulations.

Keywords: Torenia crustacea, Microscopy, physico-chemical parameters.