Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON DESMODIUM GYRANS DC.

S. Gopalakrishnan*, R. Rajameena

ABSTRACT

Desmodium gyrans DC (Fam. Fabaceae) is commonly known as “Thozhukanni” in Tamil “Namaskari” in Sanskrit. Traditionally Desmodium gyrans DC is used as antidote, cardiac-tonic and wound healing drug. In order to ensure the use of genuine and authentic material in the preparation of herbal formulations, pharmacognostical and phytochemical methods of standardization of the plant has been carried out in the present work. Microscopic, powder microscopic and physico-chemical characters of D. gyrans has been carried out. Preliminary phytochemical analysis and thin layer chromatographic studies have been performed on the various extracts of the leaves of D. gyrans. All these pharmacognostical and phytochemical studies can be used as a diagnostic tool for the correct identification of the plant and also to test adulteration if any.

Keywords: Desmodium gyrans DC, Ethnobotany, Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry