Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Characteristics of the Aerial Part of Salvia moorcroftiana Wall. ex Benth. Growing Wild in Kashmir Valley, India

Abstract

Introduction: Salvia moorcroftiana Wall. ex Benth. belongs to genus Salvia, which is one of the largest genera from Lamiaceae family, which compromises about 900 species and is widely distributed in Kashmir valley. It is used medicinally in guinea worm infection, itching, colic, dysentery and boils. Objective: The present study deals with Pharmacognostic parameters of the aerial part of Salvia moorcroftiana Wall. ex Benth. Materials and Methods: The aerial part of Salvia moorcroftiana Wall. ex Benth was collected, shade dried for about 3 weeks and powdered by using mechanical grinder and the powered aerial part of plant material was evaluated for Pharmacognostic parameters by standard methods. The various fractions of Salvia moorcroftiana were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening for the presence of various Phytoconstituents. The microscopy of the aerial part of Salvia moorcroftiana Wall. ex Benth revealed the presence of stomata, covering trichome, calcium-oxalate crystals and multicellular-headed glandular trichome. Results: Proximate analysis of the aerial part of Salvia moorcroftiana showed that the dried plant powder has 6.5 % total ash value, 1.0 % acid insoluble ash value, 0.2 % sulphated ash value. Loss on drying was found to be 5.4 %. The fractions of Salvia moorcroftiana were found to contain various phytoconstituents. Fluorescence analysis of the plant powder showed the behavour, when treated with different chemical reagents. Conclusion: The current study showed the microscopical characters, the preliminary phytochemical screening and the proximate analysis of the aerial part of Salvia moorcroftiana. Information collected from such studies can be used as benchmark in the quality control of this plant as a herbal medicine for treatment of various disease.