220 The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2019; 8(5): 220-225 Online at: www.phytopharmajournal.com Research Article ISSN 2320-480X JPHYTO 2019; 8(5): 220-225 September- October Received: 27-08-2019 Accepted: 11-10-2019 © 2019, All rights reserved doi: 10.31254/phyto.2019.8503 Shikha Sharma Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Gujarat, India Vinay J Shukla HOD, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Gujarat, India Chanappa R Harisha HOD, Department of Pharmacognosy, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Gujarat, India Bhupesh R Patel Associate Professor, Department of Dravyguna, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Gujarat, India Correspondence: Shikha Sharma Ph.D. Scholar, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, IPGT & RA, Gujarat Ayurved University, Gujarat, India Email: shikhavishishth@gmail.com Pharmacognostic and Preliminary Phytochemical studies on leaf and fruit of Adansonia digitata L. Shikha Sharma*, Vinay J Shukla, Chanappa R Harisha, Bhupesh R Patel ABSTRACT Background: Adansonia digitata, the baobab, is the well-known tree species of the genus Adansonia. Aim and Objectives: Review reveals that the leaves and fruit of the plant are used traditionally in the treatment of fever, diarrhea, dysentery, ophthalmic, insect bites, inflammation, and pain. Although it is used traditionally, scientifically the plant is yet to be evaluated for its pharmacognostical characters. Hence, the plant parts were subjected to macro-microscopic, photomicrographic, physicochemical, and preliminary phytochemical tests to fix the quality standards for this drug. Method: Plant authentication, pharmacognostical study, physicochemical and phytochemical study was performed by following standard procedures as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India. Results: Microscopy of T. S. of rachis shows circular to orbicular in shape, in the cortical region parenchyma cells heavily loaded by tannin content, cluster and rosette crystals. Schematic outline of T. S. of the leaflet is bulged in the center and consist of the outer epidermis, mesophyll cells differentiated into upper palisade and lower spongy parenchyma while lower epidermis interrupted by anisocytic type of stomata. T.S. of fruit shows the presence of epidermis followed by layers of stone cells and sclerids and T.S. of seed shows outer hard testa, spool cells layer, inner large endosperm. Both samples show Loss on drying less than 6% and very few amounts of acid insoluble ash which directly indicate the amount of inorganic residue. Fruits are slightly acidic in nature. Qualitative tests showed the presence of carbohydrate, tannin, flavonoid, and steroids in leaves and fruits. Conclusion: This study would be useful in the identification and authentication of the raw drug. Keywords: Baobab, Bombacaceae, Microscopy, Phytochemistry. INTRODUCTION The Baobab tree Adansonia digitata L. is a member of the family Bombacaceae. Bombacaceae (Bombax, Baobab or Kapok family) is a small family of flowering plants which contains about 28 genera and 200 species. Plants of this family are perennial, deciduous and woody trees [1] . The origin of the vernacular name "Baobab" is uncertain. However, most scientists believe it is derived from the Arabic name buhibab meaning fruit with many seeds. The genus name Adansonia is used in honor of Michel Adanson (1727– 1806) who brought seeds to Paris in 1754 and who was the first person to provide a comprehensive description accompanied by a drawing of the plant after a trip to West Africa (Senegal). The species name digitata (hand-like) was selected in reference to the shape of the leaves [2] . It is medium-sized deciduous tree having smooth light brownish ash coloured bark. Leaves are pubescent beneath when young, glabrous digitate [3] leaflets three in young plant, five or seven in older plants [4] , flowers soft yellowish- white, fruit is farinaceous from outside, whitish or yellowish sometimes pink-tinged pulp; seed reniform, shining brown or blackish with thick testa [5] . It is native to Africa but also found in India in Gujarat, Utter Pradesh Bihar, Bombay, and Madras [6] . Adansonia has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times. Ethno-medicinally the leaves were used to treat a wide variety of conditions including fatigue, as an anti-asthmatic, as a tonic and for insect bites, Guinea worm, and internal pains, diseases of the urinary tract, ophthalmia, and otitis. Internally, they are given as an astringent, sudorific, tonic and febrifuge. As a lotion, they are employed in earache and ophthalmia. An infusion of both the leaves and flower is given in respiratory and digestive disorder [5] . The leaves are also used as fomentation and poultices for rheumatic affection of the limbs and irritable inflammatory ulcers. Fruit pulp has been traditionally used as an immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, pesticide, antipyretic, febrifuge, and astringent in the treatment of diarrhea [5] and used for treatment of smallpox and measles [7] . A refrigerant drink is made from pulp is soluble in water, given as diaphoretic in fever, in diarrhea and dysentery, and in hemoptysis. The dry pulp administered with water, gives considerable relief from chronic bronchial asthma, severe itching in the case of allergic dermatitis,