Pharmacognostical Studies on Stems of Clerodendrum infortunatum L.

Clerodendrum infortunatum L. also known as Clerodendrum viscosum (Family Verbenaceae) is a perennial soft tomentose shrub that attains about 1m height consisting of light purple coloured or pinkish white flowers. It is widely used in traditional medicinal systems such as Ayurveda, Homeopathy and Unani due to its significant medicinal properties. It is commonly found in waste places of India, Burma and Bangladesh. Aim: The present study was undertaken to lay down the pharmacognostical standards of stems of Clerodendrum infortunatum L. in order to validate / document its therapeutic benefits. Materials and Methods: Stems of Clerodendrum infortunatum L. were subjected to pharmacognostical studies which include evaluation parameters such as histological study, microscopical study, fluorescence study, physicochemical analysis and phytochemical screening. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts were used for the physicochemical analysis and preliminary phytochemical screening Results: Histological study revealed the presence and arrangement of various cells in the stem. Microscopical study revealed the presence of important characters such as covering trichomes, glandular trichomes, lignified fibres, wood elements, stone cells, medullary rays and calcium oxalate crystals. Preliminary phytochemical screening demonstrated the presence of phenolics, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, carbohydrates and glycosides. Conclusion: The generated data could be significantly used to establish the pharmacognostic profile for the correct authentification, standardization and quality control of stems of Clerodendrum infortunatum L. Keywords: Clerodendrum infortunatum, Verbenaceae, Bhandirah, Pharmacognostic evaluation, microscopy, macroscopy