Macroscopic, Microscopic, and Preliminary Analytical Evaluation of Stem of Samarakhadyam (Byttneria herbacea Roxb.): An Extrapharmacopoeial Drug of Ayurveda

Introduction:Byttneria herbacea Roxb. (Sterculiaceae family), also known as Samarakhai by the tribal people of Odisha, has been used to treat swellings and fractures. Although traditionally used, its stem has not been studied for pharmacognostical and phytochemical characteristics, which are very minimum requirements for any herbal drug standardization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the macroscopic, microscopic, preliminary physicochemical, and phytochemical characters of B. herbacea stem. Methods:B. herbacea was collected from the Gandhamardan hill ranges in Paikmal, Bargarh, Odisha, after proper authentication. Stems were exposed to macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical, and qualitative estimation as per standard procedures mentioned in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Result:Microscopically, B. herbacea possess a wavy stem, with ridges and groove circular in shape with reduced cortex and central large pith. Most of the epidermal cells are filled with tannin content. Vascular bundles are radially arranged and consist of xylem and phloem. Water soluble extractive value (12.492%) was much more than methanol soluble extractive (6.751%), whereas pH value was 6. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, tannins, and other phenolic compounds are confirmed during the preliminary phytochemical study. Conclusion:Uniseriate medullary rays, tannin content, stellate trichomes, prismatic crystals, and rhomboidal crystals are typical microscopical features. The results of this study could be useful in the standardization and identification of B. herbacea stem.