RHIZOME OF MARANTA ARUNDINACEA LINN. (TUGAKSHEERI)– PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDY

Authors

  • Jeena P Viswan
  • Dr. Shincymol V V
  • Dr. P Y Ansary
  • Dr. Sara Moncy Oommen

Abstract

Tugaksheeri is a major ingredient of many important polyherbal formulations like Chyavanaprasha, Sitopaladichoornam, Taleesaptradichoornam, Dadimashtakachoorna etc. It is widely cultivated due to high nutritive value of its starch, which is used for commercial preparation of weaned foods and biscuits.The drug has controversial botanical identities, among them the most accepted and cultivated source plant is Maranta arundinaceaLinn. of marantaceae family. The present work aimed to an attempt for the standardization of Maranta arundinaceaLinn. rhizome by carrying its pharmacognostical evaluation. The macroscopy and microscopy of fresh rhizome and dried rhizome powder were investigated and compared with available references from authentic text books like API,Quality standards of Indian Medicinal Plants and Research articles. The rhizome appeared as ivory white, fleshy, cylindrical pieces of 20-45 cm length and .5 cm thick, covered with pale scale leaves and scars of fallen leaves. Microscopy of fresh rhizome showed epidermis, cortex, vascular bundles, sclerenchymatous bundle sheath and starch grains. Dried rhizome powder appeared as creamy white with fine texture, characteristic odour and mealy sweetish taste. Powder microscopy showed the presence of fibre fragments, fragments of vessels with annular and reticulate thickening, starch grains with hilum. All these features found similar with available data. So, the pharmacognostic study of rhizome is helpful in sample identification, quality and purity standards.

KEY WORDS: Maranta arundinacea Linn., Rhizome, Pharmacognosy

References

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Published

2022-08-08

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Original Research Article