Pharmacognostic Study and Standardization of Leaves and Stem of Mentha spicata Linn.

Background: Various Mentha species are cultivated all over the world due to their aroma and valuable therapeutic constituents. Along with its traditional use as a food flavor, it is well-established folklore medicine for treating digestive and cardiovascular problems. Mentha spicata L. is a perennial, aromatic herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family. M. spicata leaves have been used in traditional systems of medicines for treating various digestive system disorders since old times. Aim: The present research work encompasses the pharmacognostic study, phytochemical screening and physicochemical parameter estimation of leaves and stem of M. spicata L. for standardization of Mentha plant. Materials and Methods: Morpho-anatomical characterization, physicochemical analysis and preliminary phytochemical investigation of leaves and stems were performed. These investigations were done as per WHO guidelines to determine the main diagnostic characteristics for correct identification and standardization of whole plant and powdered drug of M. spicata L. Results: The dimensions, size, color, and surface texture characteristics of fresh crude drug (leaf and stem) were determined. Compound microscope images of the transverse section (TS) of M. spicata leaf and stem revealed the cellular arrangement and main identification characters. Phytochemical and physicochemical analysis of powdered drugs confirmed the presence of important phytoconstituents such as phytosterol, terpeneoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, volatile oil, etc. Conclusion: The results obtained are helpful for the characterization of the crude drug. Morphoanatomical characterization and physicochemical analysis are inexpensive methods and serve as a quality control tool for stem and leaf standardization. The ethanolic and aqueous extract of leaves and stem showed the presence of valuable medicinally active phytoconstituents.