Pharmacognostical standardization of Ficus religiosa fruits

Context: Ficus religiosa belonging to family Moraceae is a large glabrous tree, found throughout in India in the vicinity of temples. It is well known for curing a variety of ailments such as diarrhea, dysentery, vaginal and other urinogenital disorder, eczema, leprosy, rheumatism and used as anticonvulsant. Aim: The present study was undertaken to investigate the Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical parameters of fruits of Ficus religiosa. Settings and Design: Pharmacognostical investigations were carried out to study its macroscopical and microscopical characters. Various physiochemical parameters and histochemical color reactions were evaluated as per the IP method. Results: Macroscopical studies revealed that the fruit is purple colored, depress and globose shaped, 2-3 cm in diameter and sweet in taste. The results of microscopical studies showed the presence of epidermis, stone cells, pitted parenchymatous fibers, parenchymatous tissue, spiral vessels etc. The results of physiochemical parameters showed total ash- 6.74% w/w, water soluble ash- 5.40% w/w, acid insoluble ash-1.85%w/w, petroleum ether soluble extractive- 1.08% w/w, 90% methanol extractive-4.50%w/w, water soluble extractive-6.50% w/w. The qualitative evaluation of the extract indicated the presence of carbohydrates, steroids, free amino acids and phenolic compounds. Total phenolic content in the fruit was found to be 0.2% w/w.