Pharmacognostical Studies On the Stem Bark of Gliricidia Sepium

In the present study, an attempt was made to investigatePharmacognostical studies on the stem bark of Gliricidia sepium(Fabaceace). The plant was identified and authenticated by Dr. V. RamaRao, Research officer (Botany), Central Ayurveda Research Institute,Bengaluru. The macroscopical studies have been carried out on the stembark. The Characters of transverse section of stem bark shows periderm,consisting of several layers of cork, phellogen and Phelloderm. Cork cellshaving brown pigments in the outermost layer. The cortex region showsthe presence of compact, thin-walled, medium-sized parenchymatouscells. Group of stone cells in patches found in the cortex, cortex consistsof thin-walled parenchymatous cells embedded with a dispersed stonecell, prismatic crystal of calcium oxalate and sclerenchymatous cellspatches with crystal sheath. The longitudinal section shows 3-4 layers ofrectangular shaped cells of outer cork followed by globular shaped cellsof cortex region with stone cells embedded in it. Towards the middle partsome fibers are shown with crystals known as crystal fibers. Medullaryrays found crossed the crystal fibers. Powder of bark showing differentfragments of cells as 3 cells group of sclereid cells with shining prismaticcrystals of calcium oxalate, long fiber with tapering end, crystal fibers,elongated thick lignified walled narrow lumen sclereid cells and broadlumen lignified pitted sclereid cells. . Physicochemical parameters suchas moisture content, total ash value, sulphated ash value, Acid insolubleash value, water-soluble ash value and extractive value fiber length andwidh were determined. These can serve in qualifying and differentiatingthe plant. This research provides valuable insights that will benefit futureresearchers in their endeavors