COMPREHENSIVE PHARMACOGNOSTIC PROFILING OF GARCINIA GUMMI GUTTA (L). N. ROBSON LEAF

The present investigation aimed to standardize the leaf of Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) N. Robson (Clusiaceae) through detailed pharmacognostical and physicochemical evaluation. The plant was authenticated by Dr. V. Rama Rao, Research Officer (Botany), Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Bengaluru. Microscopic studies of the leaf transverse section revealed a uniseriate epidermis with a thin cuticle and paracytic stomata restricted to the lower epidermis. The lamina showed a distinct palisade and compact spongy mesophyll with cluster crystals, while the midrib exhibited collenchymatous tissues, vascular bundles arranged in a ring, pericyclic fibers, resin canals, and prismatic and styloid crystals. Powder analysis confirmed the presence of epidermal cells, stomata, guard cells, palisade cells, starch grains, cluster and rosette crystals, scalariform and spiral vessels, and xylem fibers. Physicochemical parameters such as leaf constants, moisture content, ash values, extractive values and fluorescence analysis were determined to support quality assessment. These parameters can be used for the identification and standardization of the plant, providing valuable information for future research and applications.