Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDY OF THE LEAF, STEM AND ROOT OF BHRINGARAJA (ECLIPTA ALBA LINN.) CULTIVATED THROUGH HYDROPONICS SYSTEM – AEROPONIC TOWER

Dr. Dhaval Prajapati*, Dr. Dharmendra P. Jani

ABSTRACT

Background: Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba Linn.) is a well-known Ayurvedic medicinal plant valued for its Rasayana and Keshya effects. It helps pacify Pitta and Vata Doshas and is extensively mentioned in classical texts such as Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya for the management of disorders including Pandu, Kamala, Khalitya, Palitya, Kasa, and Shwasa. Traditionally, crops have been grown in soil-based systems; however, modern approaches such as hydroponics offer a viable alternative to address issues like soil-borne diseases, inconsistent yields, and the declining availability of agricultural land. Among hydroponic methods, the Aeroponics is a method of growing plants in a soil-free environment where the plant roots are suspended in air and are misted with a nutrient-rich water solution. Materials and Methods - For the present study, Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba Linn.) have been selected as trial drug. A detailed study has been carried out of Leaf, Stem and Root of Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba Linn.) Cultivated through Hydroponics system - Aeroponic Tower including its macroscopical and microscopical (Pharmacognostical) studies. Observation & Result: In the present study, pharmacognostical identification of Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba Linn.) was carried out, encompassing both macroscopical and microscopical characteristics. The leaves of Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba Linn.) cultivated using a hydroponic Aeroponic tower system were observed to be greenish, oblong-lanceolate, pubescent to touch, and possessed a distinct characteristic odour. In the transverse section of the leaf, several features were observed, including upper epidermis, lower epidermis, collenchyma, Vascular bundle, trichomes and Palisade cells. The stem was greenish brown, pubescent in touch and odourless. In the transverse section of the stem, several features were observed, including Epidermis, Hypodermis, Pericyclic fibre, Phloem, Xylem, Cortex, Cavity and Pith. The root was creamish brown, rough in touch and odourless. In the transverse section of the root, several features were observed, including in Xylem, Medullary rays, Phloem, Pericycle, Cavity, Cork, Cortex and Endodermis. Conclusion: The structures which are observed here help in correct identification of Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba Linn.). In this study, Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba Linn.), cultivated through a hydroponic system using the Aeroponic Tower, was botanically compared with a standard reference. No new structures were found during microscopy.

Keywords: Hydroponics, Aeroponic Tower, Bhringaraja (Eclipta alba Linn.) Medicinal plants, Cultivation.