Pharmacognostical Studies of Leaves of Lagerstroemia flos-reginae

Introduction:Lagerstroemia flos-reginae (L) Pers. (Hindi-Jarul) belonging to Lythraceae is found throughout India, especially in Assam, Bengal and Deccan peninsula. A decoction of the leaves of L. flos-reginae in form of tea is widely used for diabetes mellitus in Philippines. Methods: The pharmacognostical investigations of leaves of L flos-reginae was done by evaluating its morphological, microscopical studies, leaf constants, phytochemical screening and various physicochemical parameters. Results: The microscopical studies revealed presence of epidermis with striated cuticle, bilayered palisade, rannanculaceous stomata, abundant calcium oxalate rosettes and prisms, fragments of bordered pitted xylem vessels and lignified pericyclic fibres in groups. Physical constants of leaf powder showed 14.23% alcohol soluble extractive value, 15.75% water soluble extractive value, 8.94% total ash, 8.65%water soluble ash, 1.94% acid insoluble ash, phytochemical analysis revealed presence of triterpenoid saponins, tannins, alkaloids, steroids, sugars and proteins. Conclusion: The above pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical studies will be beneficial for proper identification and authentification of leaves of L. flos-reginae.