Physicochemical analysis of Patha [cissampelos pareira, linn] stem.

Abstract

Cissampelos pareira, Linn, Family- menispermaceae is perennial climbing herbs with small greenish -yellow flower. It belongs to genus cissampelos, of which 30-40 species are distributed in the tropical and subtropical world. One species occur in India Three plants cissampelos pareira, cyclea peltate and stephania japonica are being used as source of patha. Therefore, an establishment of pharmacognostical standard on identification, purity, quality and classification of herbal plant is required. Microscopic characteristics were observed under a light microscope. Physicochemical properties including loss on drying, total ash value, acid insoluble ash, water soluble and alcohol soluble extractive were determined. The microscopic characteristics show the wavy epidermis with unicellular trichomes, lignified xylem, vessels, biseriate radial medullary rays had also been found. These findings will be useful towards establishing pharmacognostic standards on identification, purity, quality and classification of the plant drug research.