Microscopical and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies on Aerial Part (Leaves and Stem) of Bryophyllum Pinnotum Kurz

The plant Bryophyllum pinnatum Kurz (crassulaceae), has potent medicinal values. The plant have been found to possess pharmacological activities as immunomodulator, CNS depressant, analgesic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-anaphylactic, antileishmanial, antiulcerous, antifungal, antihistamine, antiviral, febrifuge, gastroprotective, insecticidal, muscle relaxant, sedative. The present study deals with pharmacognostic examination of morphological and microscopical characters of Bryophyllum pinnatum including leaf constant, ash values, extractive values and preliminary phytochemical screening of the extracts revealed that the plant contains alkaloids, glycoside, carbohydrates, tannins, phenolic compound, steroids, gums, mucilage and lignins. The presence of anisocytic type stomata are the characteristic feature observed in microscopy of leaf. The results of the study could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of monograph of the plant.