PHARMACOGNOSTIC, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF RHIZOME OF PARASITIC HERB ALECTRA THOMSONII HOOK. F.

Alectra thomsonii is a rare medicinal plant commonly known as “Nirguntha” that belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae. The microscopic evaluation of the rhizome was done by taking the appropriate section of the rhizome. In organoleptic evaluation, the prepared rhizome powder was brown in color with a pungent odor, smooth texture, and bitter in taste. Powder microscopic evaluation revealed different characteristics such as spiral, scalariform, pitted, and reticulated vessels as well as lignified cork cells and starch grains. Physicochemical parameters such as foreign matter, Moisture content, Loss on drying, total ash, acid-insoluble ash, and water-soluble ash were determined. Qualitative phytochemical evaluation of the rhizome showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, glycosides, flavonoids, proteins, and phenolic compounds etc.  The aim of the study is to evaluate parameter to determine the quality of the Alectra thomsonii rhizome.