Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Investigation of Juglans regia Linn. bark

Juglans regia Linn belongs to family Juglandaceae. It is commonly known as Walnut tree. Juglans regia bark has been claimed to possess anti-inflammatory, blood purifying, anticancer, depurative, diuretic and laxative activities. The bark is finely powdered and used to prevent bleeding gums and as a mouth rinse. The present investigation deals with microscopic evaluation of bark and establishment of its quality parameters, including physicochemical, phytochemical evaluation, HPTLC analysis & Microbial load. Chief microscopic characters include cork, phloem fibres with stone cells & calcium oxalate crystals. Phytochemical screening revealed presence of reducing sugars; alkaloids; tannins & phenols; steroids & saponins. The bark powder was found to be free from pathogenic organisms. The study will provide referential information for the correct identification of the crude drugs.