PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDIES OF THE CUSCUTA REFLEXA ROXB AND CASSYTHA FILIFORMIS LINN

The present study was carried out to establish the pharmacognostic characteristics of Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. and Cassytha filiformis Linn., two traditionally used medicinal plants. The investigation focused on the morphological and microscopic anatomical characteristics of the selected plant materials, which are important parameters for authentication and quality assessment of crude drugs. Macroscopic evaluation was performed with respect to the observable characters such as colour, shape, size, texture, surface, branching pattern, and other diagnostic features. Microscopic studies were conducted using transverse sections of the plant materials to investigate their internal anatomical organization and diagnostic tissue characteristics. The microscopic examination revealed characteristic features of the epidermis, cortex, vascular tissues, ground tissue, and other cellular structures, which can be useful in distinguishing the two species. The observed morphological and anatomical characters provide valuable reference data for the identification, authentication, and standardization of C. reflexa and C. filiformis and may support further pharmacognostic investigations of these medicinal plants.