Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical Investigation of stem of Conocarpus lancifolius

Aims: To evaluate pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical analysis of stem of Conocarpus lancifolius including macroscopic, microscopic and physicochemical parameters. Methods and Material: Macroscopic and microscopic properties of dried stem were investigated. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of various extracts and fluorescence analysis of dried stem powder was performed using various chemicals. Physicochemical parameters were evaluated as per WHO guidelines. Results: Organoleptic parameters of stem of C. lancifolius like colour, shape, size etc were noted. Transverse section of fresh stem revealed the presence of epidermis, cortex, sone cells, phloem, xylem and pith. Whereas, powder microscopy showed the presence of epidermis, xylem, stone cells, phloem fibre with crystals of calcium oxalate etc. Phytochemical screening of methanolic extract of stem showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycoside, steroids etc. Ethyl acetate extract showed the presence of alkaloids and steroids while aqueous extract showed presence of tannins. Physicochemical parameters viz. ash value, extractive value, moisture content, fluorescence analysis and foaming index of stem powder were determined. The total tannins were also determined in the stem of C. lancifolius. Conclusion: The present study revealed pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical parameters of stem of C. lancifolius which would be beneficial for its standardization and future scope of the work.

Morphoanatomical and physicochemical studies on Ailanthus excelsa roxb. stem bark: a tree of heaven

Ailanthus excelsa Roxb. (Simaroubaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant used widely in India and China in various health conditions. The morphology and microscopical evaluation are most preferred quality control parameter, in order to establish its quality and purity, we report some important pharmacognostic profile of A. excelsa stem-bark for the purpose of its identification and differentiation from related species. The study of the fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of the stem bark were carried out to determine the morphological, microscopical, some physicochemical and phytochemical parameters. Presence of lignified multicellular trichrome, stone cells, scleroids, lignified pericyclic fibre, phloem fibre, prismatic calcium oxalate, starch grains and uni to multiserrate non-lignified medullary rays observed as distinguishing microscopical characteristics in transverse section and powder studies. The result of preliminary phytochemical screening indicated presence of alkaloids, glycoside, steroids, carbohydrates, proteins, phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids and saponins. In addition, quantitative phytochemical analysis revealed significant amount of total phenolic and flavonoid content. The present study will be useful for its identification prior to carrying out further research work. Keywords: Ailanthus excelsa; stem-bark; pharmacognostic; quantitative phytochemical analysis.

The anatomy of the pathway of sucrose unloading within the sugarcane stalk

The physical path of sucrose unloading in the sugarcane stalk is described. About 50% of the vascular bundles in the internodes were located within 3 mm of the outside of the stalk. These bundles were inactive in long distance sucrose transport, as assessed by dye tracers of phloem flow. A sheath of fibres isolates the phloem apoplast from that of the storage parenchyma. In bundles associated with long distance transport (i.e. in the central region), the fibre sheath is narrowest to either side of the phloem fibre cap, and consists of living cells with plasmodesmata within pits in the secondary wall. Plasmodesmata were also arranged into pit fields between cells of the storage parenchyma. Since the vascular apoplast is isolated from the apoplast of the storage parenchyma, sucrose must move through the symplast of the fibre sheath. The calculated flux of sucrose through plasmodesmata of this cell layer was at the low end of reported values in the literature. Sucrose unloading within the storage parenchyma may also follow a symplastic route, with unloading into the apoplast of the storage parenchyma occurring as part of a turgor mechanism to increase sink strength.

Qualitative Structural Changes during Bark Development in Quercus Robur, Ulmus Glabra, Populus Tremula and Betula Pendula

The development of bark structure of Quercus robur L., Ulmus glabra Huds., Populus tremula L. and Betula pendula Roth is being described. Profound structural changes can be observed during the first years after secondary growth has started. In all four species the epidermis is replaced by a periderm, the cortex shows intensive dilatation growth, and the groups of primary bark fibres are pushed apart. The collapse of sieve tube members starts with the second year. With proceeding secondary growth, the specific formation of sclerenchymatic tissue, especially sclereids, and the dilatation growth are processes which strongly affect the bark structure of Quercus robur, Populus tremula and Betula pendula. In addition, wide, fused phloem rays develop in Quercus robur. The structure of Ulmus glabra bark is affected by the formation of phloem fibre-/sclereid-like cells and mucilage cells and by dilatation growth. The histological pattern of Ulmus glabra bark stabilises to a great extent after the first few years, the other barks investigated show further developmental processes over many years. In all species the formation of a rhytidome is the last distinct modification of bark structure.