M. Himaja Trivedi et al. J Sci Res Pharm, 2019;8(2):12-15 © 2012, JSRP. All Rights Reserved http://www.worldinventiapublishers.com/ World Inventia Publishers Journal of Scientific Research in Pharmacy http://www.jsrponline.com/ Vol. 8, Issue 2, 2019 ISSN: 2277-9469 USA CODEN: JSRPCJ Research Article PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF CORDIA MONOICA ROXB. ROOT M. Himaja Trivedi 1 *, K. Venkata Ramana 2 * 1 Research Scholar, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA. 2 A.S.N. Pharmacy College, Burripalem Road, Tenali, Guntur (Dist), Andhra Pradesh, INDIA. Received on: 03-02-2019; Revised and Accepted on: 28-02-2019 ABSTRACT Herbal medicines as the major remedy in traditional medicinal system have been used in medical practice for thousands of years and have made a great contribution to maintain human health. Indian system of medicine utilize majority of the crude drugs which are plant origin. Above 80% world population depends partially or wholly on traditional medicine for its primary health care needs. Cordia monoica Roxb belongs to Boraginaceae family. It is a small tree grows up to 6 m. bears white flowers and yellow fruit. The present study deals with the Pharmacognostical parameters of Cordia monoica Roxb root which mainly consists of macromorphology, microscopy and preliminary phytochemical screening. KEYWORDS: Cordia monoica, Root, Xylem, Phloem, Macroscopy, Microscopy, Phytochemicals etc. INTRODUCTION Today, we are witnessing a great deal of public interest in the use of herbal remedies. Generally herbal formulations involve use of fresh or dried plant parts [1] . Medicinal plants are moving from fringe to main stream use with a greater number of people seeking remedies and health approaches free from side effects caused by synthetic chemicals. Correct knowledge of crude drugs is very important aspect in preparation, safety and efficacy of the herbal product. Pharmacognosy is a simple and reliable tool, by which complete information of the crude drug can be obtained [2, 3] . After decades of serious obsession with the modern medicinal system, people have started looking at the ancient healing systems like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani because the medicinal plants have a longstanding history in many indigenous communities and continue to provide useful tools for treating various diseases [4] . World Health Organization encourages, recommends and promotes traditional herbal remedies as such drugs are easily availble in low cost, are comparatively safe and the people have faith in such remedies [5] . It is no wonder that world’s one-fourth population i.e. 1.42 billion people, are dependent on traditional medicines for the treatment of various ailments. Now-a-days medicinal plants have renowned medicinal significance and their usages are increasing day by day in daily life. Different *Corresponding author: M. Himaja Trivedi Research Scholar, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Nagarjuna Nagar, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA. * E-Mail: himajatrivedi1141@gmail.com DOI: researches are going on to explore the beneficial, pharmacological and medicinal properties of herbal drugs. Sophisticated modern research tools for evaluation of the plant drugs are available today but microscopic method is one of the simplest and cheapest methods to start with for establishing the correct identity of the source materials. There is a need for documentation of research work carried out on traditional medicines. With this backdrop, it becomes extremely important to make an effort towards standardization of the plant material to be used as a medicine [3] . These studies help in identification and standardization of the plan material. Cordia monoica Roxb belongs to Boraginaceae family. It is a small tree grows up to 6 m. bears white flowers and yellow fruit. The plant occurs in the Deccan Peninsula and Southern India, chiefly in hilly regions [6] . Leaves are ovate. Leaf size up to 4 inches long. Fruit measures up to 0.5 inches long. Flowering and fruiting process occur during the months of October to December [7-9] . The present study deals with the Pharmacognostical parameters and preliminary phytochemical screening of Cordia monoica Roxb root. Pharmacognostical studies which mainly consists of macromorphology, microscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant material: The roots of Cordia monoica Roxb. were collected from Talakona forest in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh in month of June, 2013. The plant was identified and authenticated by Dr. Madhava Chetty, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. Preparation of extraction: The roots of Cordia monoica Roxb. roots were dried and powdered. The root powder was extracted in soxhelet