PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF STEMS OF SCAEVOLA FRUTESCENS

Background: Scaevola frutescens is an important Indian medicinal plant mentioned in the traditional medicinal texts. However no conclusive pharmacognostic study or phytochemical screening of its stem has been performed yet. Aim: The present work deals with the qualitative and quantitative pharmacognostic evaluation of the stems of S. frutescens and establishment of its quality parameters, including phytochemical evaluation. Materials and Methods: The plant was collected and authenticated. This was followed by a detailed pharmacognostic study and phytochemical screening employing the established chemical tests. Results: Diagnostic microscopic characters include pericyclic fibers, pitted xylem vessels and rosette and prism crystals of calcium oxalate. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of important classes of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, phenolic compounds and carbohydrates. Conclusion: Such a detailed evaluation would be helpful in establishing the quality parameters of S. frutescens.