Pharmacognostic studies and anatomical peculiarities in medicinal plant Enicostemma axillare

Abstract. Mulani RM, Dhawle KS, Dhuldhaj UP. 2021. Pharmacognostic studies and anatomical peculiarities in medicinal plant, as Enicostemma axillare. Asian J Ethnobiol 4: 23-30. Pharmacognostic evaluations were carried out by plant material collection, preparation of herbarium; organoleptic properties, macroscopic characters, microscopic characteristics. For the physiological studies Transverse Sections (T.S.) of root, stem and leaves were taken and also powder analysis, physicochemical value determination such as total ash, water-soluble ash, acid-soluble and acid-insoluble ash were done. The distinguishing characters of Enicostemma axillare (Poir. ex Lam.) A. Raynal stem is the presence of parenchyma. Leaves microscopy indicates presence of anisocytic stomata, minor leaf veins, phloem transfer cells and numerous sclereids. Macroscopic study shows leaves and roots with glabrous-surface, and stem was tall simple to branch and maybe prostrate or ascending. Color variation indicates presence of different types of components and essential oils; determined the percentage of leaf, stem and root: ash values; water-soluble, acid-soluble and acid-insoluble ash values. This study provides anatomical properties for the proper identification and establishment of standards of E. axillare for the medicinal applications to treat diabetes mellitus, rheumatism, abdominal ulcers, hernia, swelling, itching, and insect poisoning. This helps in pharmacognostical standardization of drugs in crude form and also to differentiate them from adulterations.