PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDIES OF BARK OF CARRISA CARANDAS

Carrisa carandas belongs to the dogbane family Apocynaceae founds to be widely distributed throughout India. The present study investigates various qualitative and quantitative parameters like macroscopy, microscopic evaluation of bark powder and physicochemical constants of the bark of Carrisa carandas. Microscopic evaluation of powders of the bark revealed the presence of various cellular structures such as sclereids, fragment of cork, single acicular type of calcium oxalate crystals, pericyclic fibre and bordered pitted type of xylem vessels. Establishment of its quality parameters including physicochemical evaluation such as the moisture contents(1.08%), foreign organic matter(0.2%), total ash(1.6%), acid insoluble ash( 0.28%), water soluble ash( 1.1%), extractive values like ethanol-soluble extractives(0.81%) and water-soluble extractives( 0.44%) were calculated. Macroscopical and microscopical evaluation of bark gave special identification characters. These features play important role for the standardization of plant materials, isolation of bioactive principles, ensuring the quality of formulation and also useful to distinguish it from its related species. Keywords: Carrisa carandas, Apocynaceae, Macroscopy, Microscopy, Physicochemical parameters