pharmacognostical studies on sankhapushpi convolvulus...

Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Vol. 7(4), October 2008, pp. 529-541

Pharmacognostical studies on Sankhapushpi (Convolvulus microphyllus Sieb. ex

Spreng. and Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L.

V Madhavan1, S N Yoganarasimhan

1* & M R Gurudeva

2

1M S Ramaiah College of Pharmacy, Bangalore; 2V V Pura College of Science, Bangalore 560 054

E-mail: [email protected]

Received 4 January 2007; revised 22 June 2007

Sankhapushpi is an important drug used in Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is considered as one of the controversial

drugs in Ayurveda since more than one botanical source is assigned to the drug. To facilitate correct and easy identification

of the drug, pharmacognostical studies covering morphology, macro- and microscopical studies and physico-chemical

analysis along with diagnostic characters on two sources - Convolvulus microphyllus and Evolvulus alsinoides is presented.

The study helps in the standardization of the drug.

Keywords: Sankhapushpi, Convolvulus microphyllus, Evolvulus alsinoides, Pharmacognostical characters, Phytochemical

analysis

IPC Int. Cl.8: A61K36/00, A61P25/00, A61P25/08

Sankhapushpi is an important popular Ayurvedic drug

used to improve intelligence, memory and other

higher mental functions. It is also used as an

ingredient in formulations used in the management of

diseases like psychosis (unmada), epilepsy

(apasmara) and like conditions where mental or brain

activities are affected1. It is included as a Medhya

drug in the treatises of Ayurveda like Carakasamhita,

Susrutasamhita and Ashtanga Hridaya2-4

. Some of the

other therapeutic properties of the drug include

improvement in voice, general strength, virility, tissue

building, insomnia, skin disorders/sepsis, worm

infestation and abdominal disorders1. The popular

Ayurvedic formulations where Sankhapushpi is

included as one of the ingredients are Brahma

rasayana, Jeevanyadi ghrita, Brahmi ghrita, Vachadi

ghrita, Naladi ghrita and Agastya rasayana to

mention a few1. Like many other Ayurvedic drugs,

Sankhapushpi is also considered as one of the

controversial drugs since more than one botanical

source is mentioned and used by the Ayurvedic

physicians in various parts of the country5.

Convolvulus microphyllus Sieb. ex Spreng. (Convol-

vulaceae); Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L. (Convolvu-

laceae); Clitorea ternatea L. (Papilionaceae) and

Canscora diffusa L. (Gentianaceae) are used as

Sankhapuspi 1,5,6

. Out of the above taxa, Convolvulus

microphyllus is exclusively used in North India;

Clitoria ternatea and Evolvulus alsinoides in South

India while Canscora diffusa is predominantly used in

Eastern India, particularly West Bengal5,6

. C. micro-

phyllus is considered as the accepted source7. The

work aims to contribute towards solving the problem

of controversial drugs prevalent in Ayurveda besides

helping in laying down pharmacopoeial standards. A

detailed account on this drug particularly incorpo-

rating the macerate elements, supported by computer

images as observed under microscope help in the

identification. Literature review revealed that such

work is not available and hence the attempt was

made8,9

.

Methodology Convolvulus microphyllus was collected from the

vicinity of Patiala, Punjab while Evolvulus alsinoides

was collected from the surroundings of Tirunelveli,

Tamil Nadu. The voucher herbarium specimens and

crude drug samples are preserved at the herbarium

and museum of Regional Research Institute (Ay),

Bangalore (RRCBI). Botanical identification of the

taxa was carried out using available literature10-15

. The

pharmacognostical evaluation was carried out by

taking free hand sections. Macro- and microscopical

investigations, histochemical tests and maceration ____________

* Corresponding author

INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 7, No. 4, OCTOBER 2008

530

were carried out following standard methods

(Tables 1-8)16-18

. The photomicrographs were taken

using Leitz Dialux-22 stereo binocular microscope

with wild photo automat equipment. The ts of C.

microphyllus leaf was drawn and physico-chemical

constants were determined19-21

. For chromatographic

and fluorescence studies, the drugs were sieved

through 60 mesh and analyzed22, 23

.

Results and discussion

Convolvulus microphyllus Sieb. ex Spreng., Syst.

Veg. 1: 611. 1824; Wt., Ic. t. 1367. 1850; Cl. in Hk.f.,

Fl. Brit. India 4: 218. 1883. C. pluricaulis Choisy,

Mem. Soc. Phys. Genev. 6: 477.1834; Cl. in Hk.f., Fl.

Brit. India 4: 218.1883 (Fig. 1).

Perennial herbs, procumbent, prostrate or suberect.

Stems suffruticose basally, 15 to 50 cm long, softly

hairy or ferrugineously pilose. Leaves 1.5-6×3 - 6 cm,

linear-oblong or oblong-lanceolate, subsessile, hairy,

radical leaves larger and spathulate. Flowers 1-3

together, subsessile on short flowering branches.

Calyx lobes ovate, subequal, 3 outer slightly broader

than inner 2, densely brownish-silky. Corolla funnel-

shaped, pinkish white, more or less twice as long as

the calyx, with brown hairy bands without and with a

Table 2−Total Ash and Extractive values

Values Convolvulus Evolvulus

microphyllus alsinoides

Total ash (% ww) 5.66 5.60

Acid insoluble ash (% ww) 0.94 0.86

Water soluble ash (% ww) 1.78 1.99

Alcohol soluble (%) 8.64 7.26

Water soluble (%) 13.18 12.20

tuft of hairs at the apex of each lobe. Stamens equal.

Ovary glabrous, on a cup-shaped disc; stigma

filiform. Capsule globose, 3 mm long, smooth; seeds

4. Herbarium specimen examined:

R R Rao 8332 (RRCBI), in flowering and fruiting

condition.

Part Used: Whole plant (root, stem, leaf).

Macroscopical characters The drug material consists of a major portion of

stem and leaves and a small portion of root along with

inflorescence consisting of flowers and fruits (Fig. 2).

The fresh drug is greenish-white, while that preserved

for a longer time appears brownish. The tap root is

about 20 cm long, tortuous or straight and is without

lateral branches. Resin exudes from the freshly cut

Table 1−Histochemical tests

Parts Treatment Test for Reaction Result

C. microphyllus E. alsinoides C. m. E. a.

Iodine solution Starch Blue colour (cortex) Blue colour (cortex) ++ +

Ferric chloride soln Tannin Black colour Black colour ++ +

Sudan III soln Oil globules No change No change - -

Con Hcl Crystals (square

type in E.a.)

No change Effervescence observed - ++

Root

Pinch of

phloroglucinol +

dil HCl + alcohol

Lignin Vessel takes magenta colour Xylem takes magenta

colour

++ ++

Iodine solution Starch Blue colour (pith + cortex) Blue colour

(pith + cortex)

++ ++

Ferric chloride soln Tannin Black colour Black colour ++ ++

Sudan III soln. Oil globules No change No change - -

Con HCl Crystals No change No change - -

Stem

Pinch of

phloroglucinol +

dil Hcl + alcohol

Lignin Magenta colour (vessels, fibres

& stone cells)

Magenta colour (xylem

+ phloem fibre)

++ ++

Iodine solution Starch Blue colour (pith + cortex) Blue colour + +

Ferric chloride soln Tannin Black colour Tannin + +

Sudan III soln. Oil globules No change No change - -

Con Hcl Crystals No change No change - -

Leaves

Pinch of

phloroglucinol +

dil HCl + alcohol

Lignin Magenta colour (vessels) Magenta colour (xylem) ++ ++

++ abundantly present; + scantily present; - absent. C. m. – Convolvulus microphyllus; E. a. – Evolvulus alsinoides

MADHAVAN et al.: PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDIES ON SANKHAPUSHPI

531

surface. The stem measures 6 to 8 cm long, densely

silky-white hairy, exhibits hollow pith. Leaves are

simple, entire, alternate, tapering below, pentasti-

chous, almost sessile, appressed to the stem, oblong;

nerves 3 to 4, lateral. Fracture splintery, odourless and

tasteless. Flowers are small in size, found in groups of

2 to 3, axillary, bracteolate; bracts hairy. Calyx

persistent, enclosing the dry capsule. Corolla pinkish,

shrunk in dry stage. Fruit a capsule, dehiscing

terminally. Seeds are black, plano-convex, shining,

about 2 mm diameter, faintly ridged on the convex

surface.

Microscopical characters A transverse section of the root shows a circular

wavy outline rupturing at intervals (Figs 3-6). The

outermost layer of cork is made up of 5-6 layers of

thin walled tangentially elongated cells measuring 20-

30-35×45-75-1OO µ. Cork cambium is 4-6 layered,

parenchymatous, measuring 50-90-100×40-50-60µ.

This is followed by a many-layered inner cortex, cells

measure 60-90-105×50-60-90µ; some cortical cells

are resiniferous. Endodermis and pericycle are

indistinct. Secondary phloem is many layered,

consisting of thin walled resiniferous parenchymatous

cells, measuring 25-50-60×20-30-40µ. Starch grains

are simple, sparsely distributed. Xylem consists of

vessels, tracheids and xylem fibres and measure 40-

50-60×30-40-50µ. Intraxylary parenchymatous tissue

is present. Medullary rays are multiseriate, rarely 4-

seriate, divaricate towards the periphery of the

phloem and measure 50-75-90×25-50-60µ. Pith cells

are parenchymatous, resiniferous, measuring 40-60-

75 × 25-40-60µ.

Macerate elements consists of parenchyma cells

which are linear, measuring 60-90-100×40-50-60µ

(Fig. 7); cork cells which are thick walled,

rectangular, tanniferous measuring 25-45-50×30-50-

100µ (Figs.8,9); resiniferous cells, which are long,

filled with resin (Fig.10); fibres which are spindle

shaped and pitted, measuring 50-75-100×25-50-75µ

(Figs 11-13); tracheids with blunt ends and bordered

pits (Fig. 14); xylem parenchyma with rectangular

cells and with pitted walls measuring 60-90-100×40-

50-60µ (Fig. 15); vessels of various size and shape,

some with drawn out ends, some barrel shaped and

with bordered pits measuring 15-150-175×50-75-90µ

(Figs 16-21).

Table 3−Fluorescence studies of whole plant powder

Treatment Visible rays UV rays (254 mµ) UV rays (365 mµ)

C. m. E. a. C. m. E. a. C. m. E. a.

Powder as such Dsg gg dsyg Byg Dyg Yg

In methanol Dsg Dgg Yg Byg Dyr Dyr

In methanolic NaOH Syg Byg Bgy Byg Bsb Db

Ethanol Syg Dgg Bgy Byg Dcd Dcryt

In ethanolic NaOH Syg Byg Bgy Byg Bsb Db

In dil HCl Syg Dgg Gl Dyg Dgg Dgg

Abbreviations: Dsg – dull straw green; Gg – greyish green; Dsyg – dull straw yellowish green; Byg – bright yellowish green; Dyg –

dull yellowish green; Yg – yellowish green; Dgg – dull greyish green; Dyr – dull yellowish red; Dl – dull lilac; Syg – Straw yellowish

green; Bgy – bright greenish yellow; Bsb – bright sky blue; Db – dirty blue; Dcd – dull crimson red; Dcryt – dull crimson red with

yellow tinge; Gl – greenish yellow. C.m.- Convolvulus microphyllus; E.a.- Evolvulus alsinoides.

Table 4−Successive Solvent Extraction values

Extractive values in %

Species Pet. Ether 60-800 C Benzene Chloroform Acetone Alcohol Water

Convolvulus microphyllus 4.03 1.39 0.85 1.02 9.60 16.87

Evolvulus alsinoides 3.79 1.47 0.97 1.28 4.47 12.71

Table 5-Organic analysis (ethanolic extract)

Constitutent Convolvulus s Evolvulus

microphyllu alsinoides

Alkaloids Present Present

Carbohydrates Present Present

Phytosterols Present Present

Phenolic compounds Present Present

Tannins Present Present

Saponins Present Present


532

A transverse section of the stem is circular in

outline with trichomes and stomata found distributed

here and there (Figs 22-26). The outermost layer,

epidermis is covered by a thick cuticle and is made up

of a single layer of rectangular cells containing tannin

and measuring 40-60-75×25-50-60µ. Trichomes are

of 2 types -ordinary -measuring 50-150-250×10-15-

17.5µ and glandular measuring 25-30-40×15-20-25µ.

Next to the epidermis is the cortex, which is many

layered. The cells are parenchymatous, the first 7-8

layers contain pigments and measure 25-30-50×15-

25-45µ. The layers next to the epidermis consist of

loosely arranged cells appearing like palisade while

the other layers consists of isodiametric cells

measuring 30-45-65×25-40-60µ. Starch grains are

simple, present in the cortical cells. Endodermis is 1-

layered made up of barrel shaped cells measuring 15-

25-30×10-20-28µ. Pericycle consists of 1-2 layers of

sclerenchymatous cells with narrow lumen measuring

10-15-35×5-10-25µ. Stele is amphiphloic siphono-

stele with phloem cells found on either side and

measuring 15-25-35×10-20-30µ. Xylem consists of

radial rows of vessels measuring 25-60-75×20-50-

60µ, tracheids, fibres and medullary rays, which are

mostly uniseriate, sometimes biseriate and measuring

25-38-60×20-25-45µ. Pith is large, degenerating,

consisting of isodiametric thin walled pitted cells

measuring 20-50-75×15-25-60µ.

Macerate of the stem exhibited fibres, parenchyma

cells and vessels (Fig. 27); parenchyma cells,

trichome base and rubiaceous stomata (Fig. 28);

Trichomes which are unarmed, unicellular measuring

50-125-225×10-20-25µ and glandular measuring 30-

35-40×15-25-30µ (Figs 29,30); parenchyma cells

which are rectangular and globose (Figs 31,32);

palisade cells (Fig.33); stone cells with narrow lumen

measuring 55-60-90×30-45-60µ (Figs 34,35); fibres

with tapering or slit-like ends measuring 75-100-

150×20-30-35µ (Figs 36-38); xylem parenchyma cells

measuring 60-75-100×40-50-60µ (Fig.39); tracheids

Table 6−Rf values in different systems (aqueous extracts) (UV long wave)

Treatment Convolvulus microphyllus Evolvulus alsinoides

Spot Colour Rf value Spot Colour Rf value

1 Brown 0.21 1 Brown 0.25

2 Blue 0.38 2 Brown 0.37

3 L.blue 0.46 3 Buff 0.52

4 L.green 0.61 4 Brown 0.57

5 Buff 0.67 5 L.green 0.61

6 G.blue 0.78 6 L.blue 0.81

7 Blue 0.88 7 Blue 0.90

8 Brown 0.92 8 - -

Solvent system: Ethyl acetate-

Methanol-Water (100:13.5:10)

9 Orange 0.99 9 - -

1 G.brown 0.20 1 G.brown 0.26

2 G.blue 0.50 2 L.green 0.50

3 Gy.brown 0.64 3 G.brown 0.63

4 Blue 0.82 4 L.green 0.76

5 Red 0.87 5 Blue 0.84

Solvent system: n-butanol:Glacial

acetic acid-Water (50:10:40)

6 - - 6 Red 0.92

1 Blue 0.23 1 Blue 0.33

2 Brown 0.29 2 Green 0.40

3 Blue 0.36 3 Cream 0.51

4 L.green 0.45 4 Blue 0.90

5 L.green 0.59 5 Orange 0.99

6 L.green 0.84 6 - -

7 Blue 0.90 7 - -

Solvent system: Chloroform-Methanol

(85:15)

8 Orange 0.99 8 - -

Abbreviations: L. blue – light blue; L. green – light green; G. brown – greenish brown; G. blue – greenish blue; Gy. Brown – greyish

brown


533

which are pitted measuring 25-40-60×20-35-50µ

(Fig. 40); vessels of various size and shape with

bordered opposite pits, some with drawn out ends,

some with spiral thickenings measuring 50-75-100×

20-30-40µ (Figs 41-44).

A transverse section of the leaf shows upper and

lower epidermis with rectangular cells measuring 40-

60-75×25-50-60µ, both covered by striated cuticle

(Figs 45,46). Trichomes of glandular type measuring

25-30-40×15-20-25µ and simple type measuring 50-

150-250×10-15-18µ are found on both surfaces of the

epidermis. Stomata are of rubiaceous type, found on

both surfaces, having a stomatal ratio of 4-8-12 on

upper side and 8-12-15 on lower side. In the midrib

region below the upper epidermis is a layer of

collenchyma followed by ground tissue. A single

layer of palisade like cells measuring 45-60-75×30-

40-60µ are found next to the lower epidermis, which

extends to the laminar region; the palisade ratio varies

from 6-10-18. Next to this, 1 layer of collenchyma is

found. The vien islet number varies from 5-8-9. The

vascular bundle is collateral. Lamina exhibits

dorsiventral nature, with a layer of palisade cells on

either side of spongy parenchyma. The spongy

parenchyma cells are closely packed. In the fresh leaf

calcium oxalate crystals are found abundantly along

the veins; however they were not observed in the dry

drug.

Macerate elements consists of parenchyma cells

measuring 15-20-40×10-15-25µ (Fig. 47); trichomes

which are unicellular measuring 50-125-220×10-20-

25µ (Fig. 48); epidermal peel showing trichome base

Table 7−Rf values in different systems (alcoholic extracts) (UV long wave)



1 Brown 0.26 1 Green 0.16

2 Blue 0.41 2 Brown 0.30

3 Buff 0.45 3 Brown 0.41

4 Blue 0.49 4 Brown 0.52

5 Brown 0.62 5 Red 0.61

6 G.brown 0.66 6 Gy.blue 0.64

7 Red 0.71 7 Red 0.69

8 Blue 0.81 8 Red 0.76

9 Red 0.99 9 Red 0.81

10 - - 10 Blue 0.92

Solvent system: Ethyl acetate-

Methanol-Water (100:13.5:10)

11 - - 11 Red 0.99

1 Blue 0.52 1 G.blue 0.37

2 Brown 0.54 2 L.green 0.49

3 Brown 0.67 3 G.brown 0.55

4 Blue 0.81 4 G.brown 0.68

5 Red 0.90 5 Brown 0.82



- - - 6 Red 0.90

1 Green 0.13 1 G.yellow 0.13

2 Green 0.15 2 Red 0.18

3 Br.yellow 0.38 3 Yellow 0.37

4 L.blue 0.45 4 Blue 0.59

5 L.blue 0.52 5 Cream 0.78

6 L.blue 0.61 6 L.red 0.83

7 L.blue 0.69 7 Orange 0.89

8 Cream 0.79 8 Cream 0.92

9 Blue 0.87 9 Orange 0.94

10 G.blue 0.91 10 - -


(95:5)

11 Orange 0.95 11 - -

Abbreviations: L. blue – light blue;L. green – light green; L. red – light red; Gy. blue – greyish blue; G. brown – greenish brown;

G. blue – greenish blue; G. yellow – greenish yellow; Br. yellow – brownish yellow.


534

measuring 50-60-90×20-30-45µ and rubiaceous

type of stomata measuring 15-25-30×10-20-25µ

(Figs 49,50); thin walled parenchyma cells (Fig. 51);

palisade cells (Fig. 52); vessels with helical

thickenings measuring 20-25-30×15-20-25µ (Fig. 53).

The powdered drug sieved through 100 mesh

showed the presence of starch grains, pollen grains,

leaf bits, bracts, floral parts, trichomes, bits of

epidermis from both stem and leaves. The pollen

grains have 3 wing-like appendages. Prisms of

calcium oxalate crystals are found in the floral parts,

but not in the leaf bits. Xylem parenchyma with pitted

cells is also found.

The sections of root, stem and leaves when treated

with iodine gave a blue colour indicating the presence

of starch; with ferric chloride solution, a black colour

was observed showing the presence of tannin; with

Sudan III solution, no change was observed indicating

the absence of oil globules; with con. Hydrochloric

acid, no effervescence was observed indicating the

absence of crystals; with a pinch of phloroglucinol

and dilute hydrochloric acid and alcohol, vessels in

the root and leaf, vessels, fibres and stone cells in

stem gave a majenta colour showing the presence of

lignin respectively.

Diagnostic characters Resiniferous cells in the root; spindle shaped fibres

in the root; rubiaceous stomata in the stem; pericycle

made up of 1 to 2 layers of sclerenchyma in the stem;

trichomes which are unarmed, glandular and uni or

multicellular in the stem and leaf; pith with

conspicuous pits; presence of intraxylary parenchy-

matous tissue in the root; leaf with pigmented

palisade like layer on the lower side in the midrib

region, extending to the laminar region.

Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L., Sp. PI. ed. 2, 392.

1762; Cl. in Hk.f, FI. Brit. India 4: 220. 1883;

Gamble, FI. Pres. Madras 648. 1967 (repr. ed.).

Convolvulus alsinoides L., Sp. Pl. 157. 1753 (Figs 54,

55). Prostrate spreading silky herbs with woody

rootstock. Leaves to 1×0.5 cm, simple, alternate,

oblanceolate or lanceolate. Flowers blue, solitary or in

3-flowered cymes. Calyx lobes acute. Corolla rotate.

Stamens 5. Fruit a capsule, globose.

Herbarium specimen examined: K R Keshava-

murthy 4333 (RRCBI), collected in flowering and

fruiting condition.

Parts used: whole plant (root, stem, leaf).

The whole plant constituting the drug consists of

intact whole plant, pieces of branches with leaves and

Table 8−Rf values in different systems (acetone extracts) (UV long wave)



1 Green 0.29 1 G.brown 0.38

2 Green 0.40 2 L.green 0.48

3 G.blue 0.42 3 Cream 0.63

4 G.brown 0.48 4 G.brown 0.70

5 G.brown 0.54 5 Red 0.84



6 Red 0.83 - -

1 B.green 0.11 1 Green 0.11

2 L.orange 0.12 2 Orange 0.12

3 B.green 0.17 3 Orange 0.19

4 L.orange 0.19 4 Cream 0.23

5 L.g.blue 0.25 5 L.orange 0.37

6 G. blue 0.31 6 Cream 0.49

7 Y.orange 0.44 7 Lb.green 0.65

8 L.blue 0.51 8 Lb.green 0.74

9 L.blue 0.66 9 Cream 0.86

10 L.blue 0.72 10 Orange 0.95

11 L.blue 0.85 11 - -


(95:5)

12 Orange 0.93 12 - -

Abbreviations: b. Green – bluish green; L. blue – light blue; L.green – Light green; G. brown – greenish brown; B. green – bluish

green; G. blue – greenish blue; L.orange – light orange; Lg.blue – light greenish blue; Y.orange – yellowish orange; Lb.green – light

bluish green.


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536


537


538


539

seeds, roots and dehisced capsule (Fig. 56). The

branches are very slender, cylindrical, hairy pubescent

with leaf scars. Root smooth, light brown, 10 to 12 cm

long, gradually tapering with many, very slender

lateral roots, odourless and tasteless. Fracture

splintery. Leaves are found appressed to the stem,

alternate, elliptic-oblong, younger whitish-pubescent,

entire, mucronulate, estipulate. Flowers bluish,

axillary, solitary, bracteate. Calyx persistent,

enclosing the dehisced capsule. Capsule globose,

brownish. Seeds many, plano-concave, with a small

triangular scar on one side, reticulately veined.

Microscopical characters

A transverse section of root shows a circular

outline (Figs 57-59). It exhibits 1-2 layers of thick

walled cork, the cells measuring 20-45-50×60-90-

110µ followed by 3 to 6 layers of cortex with cells

measuring 35-50-60×45-60-70µ. Cork cambium is 1-

layered, thin walled, cells measuring 20-25-40×40-50-

60µ. A few cortical cells are resiniferous; oil globules

are also found in a few cells. Endodermis is distinct,

single layered, made up of polygonal thick walled

cells. Stele consists of xylem and phloem; xylem cells

measure 40-70-90×30-45-40µ; phloem cells are thin

walled measuring 10.5-12.5-15×20-40-45µ, contain

starch grains, which are either isolated or in groups

and measure 25-30-40µ (diameter). Wood is made up

of secondary xylem arranged in rows. Medullary rays

are uniseriate, cells measuring 30-40-75×10-15-20µ,

contain simple starch grains.

Macerate exhibits thin walled parenchyma cells

measuring 30-45-50×25-40-45µ (Fig. 60); xylem

parenchyma which are thin walled and pitted (Fig.

61); fibres which are long and with tapering ends,

measuring 160-200-360×8-12-20µ (Figs. 62-64);

tracheids which are spindle shaped, pitted, measuring

60-160-200×8-12-16µ (Fig. 65); vessels of various

size and shape, cylindrical, narrow, with pitted

thickenings, some barrel shaped, some with drawn out

ends, measuring 80-120-200×8-12-20µ (Figs 66-72);

simple starch grains measuring 20-30-40µ (diameter)

are also found.

A transverse section of stem exhibits circular

outline (Figs 73-75). Epidermis is 1-layered, made up

of barrel shaped cells measuring 20-25-40×35-50-

75µ. From the epidermal cells emerge trichomes of

ordinary and glandular type. Next to the epidermis

lies the cortex which is 3 to 4-layered; cortical cells

are parenchymatous, measuring 25-40-60×40-75-90µ;

hypodermal parenchyma cells contain chloroplasts.

Endodermis is 1-layered, followed by a ring of stone


540

cells constituting the pericycle; pericycle cells

measure 5-25-35×5-28-40µ. Next to the pericycle is

the secondary phloem, cells measuring 15-20-

25×10.5-15-30µ and secondary xylem which are

multi layered, cells measuring 25-30-35×30-35-40µ.

Cambium is thin walled, found in between xylem and

phloem. Xylem is characteristically arranged in radial

rows. Medullary rays are uniseriate, thin walled, cells

measuring 35-40-80×15-20-30µ. Pith is parenchy-

matous. Simple starch grains are found in the cortex

and pith, they measure 10-20-15µ (diameter).

Following elements were observed after maceration:

epidermal cells which are barrel shaped, measuring

28-40-60×20-32-36µ, compactly arranged, with

trichome base and rubiaceous stomata (Figs. 76-78);

parenchyma cells (Figs.79,80); thick walled stone

cells in groups (Fig. 81); trichomes of ordinary type

with a broad base measuring 40-100-120x8-12-20µ

(Fig. 82); fibres are spindle shaped, pitted, with

narrow ends measuring 200-280-340×12-16-20µ

(Figs 83-85); xylem parenchyma cells, measuring 40-

60-80×20-48-50µ which are thin walled and with

pitted thickenings (Figs. 86,87); vessels which are

slender, narrow, with spiral and pitted thickenings

measuring measuring 60-100-140×10-16-20µ

(Figs 88-90).

A transverse section of the leaf shows typical

dorsiventral condition (Figs 91-93). The upper and

lower epidermis is well defined; the upper epidermis

cells measure 15-20-30×20-15-35µ while the lower

epidermis cells measure 20-30-40×10-20-25µ.

Trichomes and glandular hairs are present on both

surfaces; the simple hair cells measure 200-400-

475×15-20-25µ while the glandular hair cells measure

25-40-96×15-25-30µ. Stomata are of rubiaceous type,

found on both surfaces. The stomatal index for the

lower surface is 5-10-15µ.Trichomes consists of a

basal cell, a stalk cell and a terminal cell. Basal cell is

circular in outline and belongs to the epidermis. The

terminal cell is forked into 2 unequal arms at the base;

the arms lie horizontally. Glandular hair consists of a

basal cell, a small stalk cell and an ellipsoid

multicellular head cell. Head cell at first is unicellular,

turning multicellular at a later stage. The cells

carrying the ordinary trichome are well raised above

the others and that with the glandular is slightly sunk.

The upper epidermis is followed by a few layers of

collenchyma at midrib region, cells measuring 15-20-

30×20-15-35µ. The mesophyll consists of palisade

parenchyma cells measuring 35-45-65×10-20-25µ and

spongy parenchyma cells measuring 15-3540×10-15-

25µ; the spongy parenchyma cells are oval, angular,

pigmented, closely packed with air spaces near the

stomata. Secretory cells are found here and there in

the middle of the mesophyll. Rosette type of calcium

oxalate crystals are found in some cells. The bundle

ends are characteristic. Vascular bundle of the lateral

vein, unlike that of the midrib is collateral, closed and

surrounded by a parenchymatous bundle sheath which

contains less number of plastids than the mesophyll

cells. Xylem cells measure 10-15-20µ in diameter

while the phloem cells measure 15-25-0-15-20µ. The

palisade ratio is 6-8-12µ while the vein islet ratio is 8-

10-15µ. Calcium oxalate crystals are found

abundantly in clusters along the veins. Macerate

consists of epidermal peeling with trichome base and

rubiaceous stomata, epedermial cells measuring 35-

50-60×25-40-45µ (Figs. 94-97); stomata are of

rubiaceous type measuring 20-24-28×12-10-12µ;

parenchyma cells measuring 25-35-50×10-15-20µ

(Figs 98,99); trichomes of simple type measuring 50-

75-125×16-20-25µ (Figs 100,101); palisade cells

(Fig 102), vessels with spiral thickenings measuring

50-120-150×20-40-45µ (Figs 103-104).

A fine powder under 60 or 100 mesh of the whole

plant or drug revealed the following: the powder is

greyish-green, odour of dry straw, slightly bitter,

texture smooth and fine. Bits of leaves, floral parts,

seed coats, bracts and capsule were observed along

with spherical pollen and starch grains. The leaf bits

exhibit bundle ends. When boiled with chloral

hydrate, calcium oxalate crystals were found.

Secretory cells and pieces of trichomes were also

observed. The powder when treated with dil.

sulphuric acid and dil. hydrochloric acid gave no

colour reaction, with dil. nitric acid turned brick red,

with warm or cold potassium hydroxide solution in

water plus hot or cold Fehling solution turned

yellowish-green and emerald green respectively,

powder in water did not dissolve but the tannins

dissolved giving brown colour.

The sections of root, stem and leaves of both

species were treated with different reagents for the

presence of starch, tannin, oil globules, crystals and

lignin.

The diagnostic characters of Evolvulus alsinoides

are the characteristic arrangement of xylem in radial

rows in the stem, presence of armed trichomes in the

leaves, secretory cells in the mesophyll and pericycle

made up of a ring of stone cells in the stem.


541

Physico-chemical analysis like total ash and

extractive values, fluorescence studies, successive

solvent extractive values, organic analysis and thin

layer chromatographic studies of different extracts

of C. microphyllus and E. alsinoides are presented;

Figs 105-107).

Conclusion The pharmacognostical and phytochemical analysis

carried out with a focus on bringing out diagnostic

characters will be of immense help in the proper

identification and standardization of two botanical

species of the memory enhancing drug Sankhapushpi

mentioned in Ayurveda. It will also help in carrying

out further research and revalidation of its use in

Ayurveda.

Acknowledgement

Authors are thankful to University of Mysosre,

Mysore for permitting to publish this part of the

thesis. Authors are also thankful to the authorities of

RRI (Ay), Bangalore for providing some facilities and

also to the Management of Gokula Education

Foundation and VV Pura College of Science,

Bangalore for extending necessary encouragement to

carry out this work.

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pharmacognostical studies on sankhapushpi convolvulus...

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