PHYTOPHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDY ON MAKKHAN KATORI: FICUS KRISHNAE

Abstract

Background: Ficus krishnae (Moraceae) is also known as Krishna fig, Krishnas butter cup (E) and Makkhan Katori (H). Its aerial root is styptic, useful in syphilis, biliousness, dysentery, inflammation of liver etc. It has been proven to have anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic activity. Phenolic compounds and halogenated coumarins have been isolated from it. Objectives: However, no pharmacognostic work of this species has been reported so far, thus serving as a basis for initiation of the present work. Methods: Detailed morphological and qualitative as well as quantitative microscopic study was carried out. Results: A special feature of the leaves is that they have a pocket-like fold at the base. Chief features of the transverse section are the presence of hypodermis in the lamina, bilayered palisade and crescent-shaped vascular bundles. Chief powder characters are anomocytic stomata, spirally-thickened xylem vessels, dagger-shaped covering trichomes and cluster crystals of calcium oxalate. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and carbohydrates. Conclusion: This study, combined with quantitative microscopic data, can be useful in evaluation and detection of adulteration in plant material or formulations of the leaves of this species.