~ 46 Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry2013; 2 (4):46-51 ISSN 2278-4136 ISSN 2349-8234 JPP 2013; 2 (4): 46-51 © 2013 AkiNik Publications Received: 13-9-2013 Accepted: 24-9-2013 Srikanth Kagithoju Department of Biotechnology, Kakatiya University, Warangal - 506009, India. Vikram Godishala Department of Biotechnology, Kakatiya University, Warangal - 506009, India. Archana Pamulaparthi Department of Biotechnology, Kakatiya University, Warangal- 506009, India. Rajinikanth Marka Department of Biotechnology, Kakatiya University, Warangal - 506009, India. Rama Swamy Nanna Department of Biotechnology, Kakatiya University, Warangal - 506009, India. Correspondence: Prof. N. Rama Swamy Department of Biotechnology Kakatiya University, Warangal -506009, India. Tel: +91-0870-2567137, 2461455(O) Mob: +91- 09390101665 Fax: 2438800. Email: swamynr.dr@gmail.com Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Investigations in Strychnos potatorum Linn. F. Srikanth Kagithoju, Vikram Godishala, Archana Pamulaparthi, Rajinikanth Marka and Rama Swamy Nanna ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical characteristics of leaves of an endangered medicinally important forest tree species Strychnos potatorum. Methods: Pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigations were conducted in terms of macroscopic, microscopic, physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical parameters. Results: The macro and microscopic study revealed that leaves are simple, petiolated, glabrous, dorsiventrally differentiated, hypostomatic, without trichomes and with conjoint, bi-collateral, exarch vascular bundles which are surrounded by sclereids on all sides. These leaves showed the presence of fibers, parenchyma, xylem vessels and amphibrachyparacytic stomata. This crude drug (leaf powder) showed the characteristic physicochemical values like 3.5% (total ash), 2.8% (water soluble ash), 0.5 % (acid insoluble ash), and 3.4% (moisture content). Leaf powder showed the characteristic fluorescence when treated with different reagents which supported results of phytochemical studies. Preliminary phytochemical investigations in leaf powder showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, sterols, triterpinoids, phenols, quinones, saponins and absence of fats and oils. Conclusions: Various pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical characters observed in this may help in standardization, identification and carrying out further research in S. potatorum leaf based drugs used in Ayurveda and also in modern pharmacopoeia. Keywords: Strychnos potatorum, Pharmacognostic studies, Phytochemical studies 1. Introduction According to World Health Organization (WHO), it was estimated that 80% of the population in developing countries rely mostly on traditional medicine like plant drugs, for their primary health care needs [1] . Medicinal plants being natural, non-narcotic, having no side effects, cost effective, preventive and curative therapies which could be useful in achieving the goal of "Health for all" in a cost effective manner. Due to this fact, medicinal plants occupied an important position in the socio-cultural, spiritual and medicinal arena of people. These medicinal plants are always busy in synthesizing new compounds called secondary metabolites while interacting with their environment which help them to cope up with continuous changes in environment. Very less fraction of these secondary metabolites were isolated and characterized, which play an important role in human health care. The Indian Systems of Medicine, viz Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homeopathic system is predominantly rely on plant based raw materials and their preparations and formulations. Modern pharmacopoeia also contains at least 25% drugs derived from plants and many other are synthetic analogues of prototypic plant compounds. Due to increase in demand for plant based crude drugs supplied to pharmaceutical, phytochemical and perfumery industries in both developing and developed countries, are frequently adulterated by foreign organic matters resembling the standard drugs or substituted by inferior quality of crude drugs. Hence, this has necessitated developing a systematic approach to their study in modern pharmacognosy.