title: Pharmacognostic studies of the leaves and stem of Careya arborea Roxb.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study detailed pharmacognostic profile of leaves and stem of Careya arborea (C. arborea) Roxb. (Lecthyidaceae), an important medicinal plant in the Indian system of medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Leaf and stem samples of C. arborea were studied by macroscopical, microscopical, physicochemical, phytochemical, fluorescence analysis of powder of the plant and other methods for standardization recommended by WHO.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Macroscopically, the leaves are simple, broadly obovate in shape, acuminate apex with crenate, dentate margin, petioles (0.1-1.8 cm) long. Microscopically, the leaf showed the presence of median large size vascular bundle covered with fibrous bundle sheath, arrangement of xylem in cup shape and presence of cortical vascular bundle, patches of sclerenchyma, phloem fibers in groups and brown pigment containing cells in stem are some of the diagnostic features noted from anatomical study. Powder microscopy of leaf revealed the presence of parenchyma cells, xylem with pitted vessels and epidermis with anisocytic stomata. The investigations also included leaf surface data; quantitative leaf microscopy and fluorescence analysis. Physiochemical parameters such as loss on drying, swelling index, extractive values and ash values were also determined and results showed that total ash of the stem bark was about two times higher than leaf and water soluble extractive value of leaf and stem bark was two times higher than alcohol soluble extractive value. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of triterpenoids, saponins, tannins and flavonoids.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of the study can serve as a valuable source of information and provide suitable standards for identification of this plant material in future investigations and applications.
authors.affiliation: University Institute of Pharmacy, Chhtrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, India.
authors.forename: Prakash Chandra
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Nisha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Ch V
authors.initials: ChV
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D031381:Lecythidaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010598:Pharmacognosy; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry*; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013634:Tannins / Q000494:pharmacology; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D014944:World Health Organization
chemical_list: D005419:Flavonoids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D013634:Tannins; D014315:Triterpenes
keywords: Careya arborea; Macroscopy; Microscopy; Pharmacognosy; Phloem; Physicochemical; Stomata; Xylem