Pharmacognostic Study and Development of Quality Control Parameters for Different Parts of Lavatera Cashmeriana

Abstract Lavatera cashmeriana Camb. is an endemic and important medicinal plant species of Kashmir Himalaya. It is widely used locally and is sold as crude drug in Kashmir markets due to its various medicinal properties. However, despite its traditional usage there is limited information pertaining to pharmacognostic characterization of L. cashmeriana. So, the present study was carried out to investigate the pharmacognostical and physicochemical profile of different parts of L. cashmeriana. The measures taken for pharmacognostical characterization were organoleptic study, macroscopy, anatomy, powder microscopy, foreign matter analysis, ash values, loss on drying, swelling index, foaming index, ph values, fluorescence analysis and extractive yield. Organoleptic and macroscopic studies revealed that L. cashmeriana is a perennial herb with very thick branched tap root system; orbicular, palmate, slightly cordate at base, upper surface of leaves with dense simple, fascicled or stellate hairs, lower surface densely stellate hairy, lobes ovate or obtuse, stipule linear lanceolate; axillary, solitary or in terminal sub-racemes inflorescence; fruit discoid mericarps and seeds glabrous, dark brown. Anatomical studies and powder microscopy revealed some important diagnostic features in the plant species. The pharmacognostic profile studies generated helpful data to set up standards for the plant. The present study for the first time endows with an inclusive pharmacognostic profiling of L. cashmeriana, thereby, acting as a platform for accurate identification, authentication and development of quality control parameters of the species. Data obtained may be used as a standard for future studies.