Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Cordia macleodii Hook. Stem Bark

Cordia macleodii Hook. (boraginaceae), known as Sikari/Phanki by the tribals of Orissa, is a plant of ethnomedicinal importance and is available in gandhamardana hills ranges of Orissa. stem bark of this plant is used for healing wounds and for treating jaundice. In this study, an attempt has been made to study pharmacognostical characters of the stem bark which includes its macroscopic and microscopic characters and preliminary phytochemistry including tlc and HPTLC. Bark shows microscopic characters like cork, cortex, medullary rays, sclerenchyma fibres, phloem, cambium and crystals. The phytochemical tests show presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins and HPTLC profile shows presence of 9 spots and 8 spots at 254 and 366 nm respectively.