PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON LEAVES OF STEREOSPERMUM COLAIS (BUCH.- HAM. EX.DILLW). MABBERLEY
Stereospermum colais (Buch.-Ham.ex.Dillw.) Mabberley. (Bignoniaceae) is a large deciduous tree distributed throughout India. This is an ingredient of the reputed dasamula and is used in many important Ayurvedic formulations. In Ayurveda, the leaves are used in otalgia, odontalgia, rheumatalgia, malarial fever and wounds. So far no systematic investigations have been carried out for the identification and standardization of the leaves of the plant. Hence this study was aimed to provide standards for the leaves of the plant for identification. The leaves of Stereospermum colais were collected and the macroscopical and microscopical studies were carried out besides with physico-chemical and phytochemical analysis was performed. From this study the salient microscopical features were identified for identification and authentication of the leaf. The physico-chemical constants and phytoconstitutents reported helps in identification of fresh as well as powdered leaf material and to ensure the quality.