Pharmacognostic Study and Establishment of Quality Parameters of Leaves of Ficus racemosa Linn.

Introduction:Ficus racemosa Linn. syn. Ficus glomerata Roxb. (Family - Moraceae) is found commonly in India. Recent pharmacological findings indicate that its leaves possess significant anti-diabetic, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, anti-diarrheal, analgesic, larvicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory activities, which comply with the claims made in the traditional medicinal texts. However, no conclusive pharmacognostic study of its leaves has been performed yet. Methods: The present investigation deals with the qualitative and quantitative microscopic evaluation of the leaf material and establishment of its quality parameters, including physicochemical and phytochemical evaluation. Results: Chief microscopic characters include vascular bundles having patches of perimedullary phloem and sheath of calcium oxalate cluster crystals. Chief characters of powder include hooked-top trichomes, calcium oxalate prisms, cluster crystals and xylem vessels with reticulate thickening. Various physicochemical parameters were also established. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of many important classes of phytoconstituents like alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and carbohydrates. Conclusion: Such a study would serve as a useful gauge in standardization of the leaf material, isolation of medicinally important phytoconstituents, performing pharmacological investigations and ensuring quality formulations.