Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Evaluation of Leaves of Cissampelos pareira

In ethanomedicinal practices the the tradicinal healers use the roots of Cissampelos pareira in the treatment of various ailments related to urinary problems, skin infections,in tumor inhibitor activity,antibacterial, antimalarial, diuretic activity and anticonvulsant activity etc. Macro- and microscopical characters, behaviour of drug on treatment with different chemical reagents, fluorescence analysis, extractive values, ash values and preliminary phytochemical tests were carried out to study the distinctive features of the drugs. Such parameters provide basis for standardisation/characterisation of genuine drug. A serious limitation encountered in the use and research of traditional medicine is the lack of standardisation and quality control of raw material forming the drug. The ultimate objective of the pharmcognostic investigation is identification of the genuine crude drug and determining the extent of adulteration/substitution, if any. Advancement in recent years in pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and physicochemical techniques can be of immense value in removing this major shortcoming of traditional medicine. These techniques can be utilised for correct botanical identification of plants. The details of organoleptic, macro- and microscopic characters, various evaluative parameters, fluorescence analysis, results of preliminary phytochemical analysis established in the present study will facilitate in identifying the g drug from any substitute or spurious samples and will also be useful in preparation of monographs on these plants.