Pharmacognostic and Physicochemical study of Punica granatum L. leaf

Punica granatum L. (Punicaceae) is a shrub, usually with multiple stems, that commonly grows 1.8-4.6m tall. The deciduous leaves are shiny and about 1-5 cm long. Almost all parts of this plant are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various ailments. Hence, the present work was undertaken to establish the requisite pharmacognostic standards for evaluating the plant material. The present study includes examination of macroscopic and microscopic characters, powder analysis and physiochemical properties of Punica granatum L. leaf. The macro and microscopical studies indicated presence of simple leaf, opposite arrangement and prism and cluster crystals of calcium oxalate present throughout the transverse section. Chemomicroscopic characters present included starch and calcium oxalate crystals. The results of the study could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of a monograph of the plant.