Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF VATA BARK (FICUS BENGHALENSIS L.)

Dr. Siddhi Purohit*, Dr. Dilip Jani, Dr. Dharmendra Jani

ABSTRACT

Background: Pharmacognostical evaluation plays a vital role in the authentication, identification and quality control of herbal drugs. The present study was undertaken to establish the macroscopic, microscopic and powder microscopic characteristics of Vata Tvak (Ficus benghalensis Linn.), an important Ayurvedic medicinal drug and to compare its features with standard pharmacognostical descriptions. Materials and Methods: Bark (Tvak) of Vata (Ficus benghalensis Linn.) was collected from the forest area of Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Macroscopic evaluation was carried out based on size, colour, odour, taste and fracture. Transverse section microscopy and powder microscopy were performed using standard pharmacognostical procedures to identify microscopic characters. Observation and Results: Macroscopic examination showed bark with a grey to greyish-white outer surface, reddish-brown inner surface, characteristic odour, astringent taste and a short brittle outer bark with a fibrous inner bark. Microscopic evaluation revealed the presence of cork, cortex, secondary phloem, medullary rays and oil cells. Powder microscopy confirmed characteristic features including latex cells associated with phloem fibres, pitted vessels, stone cells, sclereids, cork cells, starch grains, phloem fibres and prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate, consistent with standard diagnostic parameters. Discussion and Conclusion: The study established the pharmacognostical characteristics of Vata Tvak (Ficus benghalensis Linn.). The observed macroscopic and microscopic features were consistent with standard references, establishing reproducible pharmacognostic reference standards for authentication and quality control and purity of the drug. These findings provide reliable identification parameters for quality control, standardization and detection of adulteration in Ayurvedic raw materials.

Keywords: Pharmacognosy, Vata, Ficus benghalensis, Moraceae, Bark, Powder Microscopy, Standardization, Ayurveda.