Pharmacogistic studies on root of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

The present study reveals the pharmacognostic studies root of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L) Vahl. The objectives of the present work comprises of collection, identification, macroscopical, Ph of aqueous solution, soluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive, flouresence analysis of root. The root section was taken and microscopical studies were carried out, the root shows derived from the cork, the periderm tissue is formed, which replaces the epidermis in the outer layer. The next tissue identified inwards was the cortex. Sclerenchyma was seen as a ring in the roots, while as a group, formed from a group of cells, in the mature ones. In the middle, xylem tissue occupies a large area, just below the phloem tissue.


INTRODUCTION
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L) Vahl. belongs to the family Verbenaceae. It is commonly known as seemai nayuruvi. This plant can be found on street and Croix growing along roadsides. The disturbed sites, grass-fields, brushwood, young forest, watersides and moreover cultivated as a hedge-plant (Backer and Bakhuizen, 1965). Bluepotter weed is an erect and branched half-woody plant, 1 to 1.5 meters high. Stems are terete, the younger ones slightly angled. Leaves are elliptic to oblong-ovate, 2.5 to 10 centimeters long, with pointed tips and toothed margins, the base decurrent on the petioles. The spikes are terminal, rather slender, 10 to 30 centimeters long, 3-4 millimeters thick, green and continuous. Calyx is small, oblique and 4-toothed. Corolla is deep blue, 1 centimeter long. The fruit is enclosed in the calyx, appressed to and sunk in the rachis, smooth, oblong and about 4 millimeters long.
The medicinal usage of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis's fresh leaves are consumed in bush tea as a "cooling" tonic and blood cleanser. S. jamaicensis is having anti spasmodic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, anti nociceptive activity, vasodilator activity, laxative activity, anti-diarrheal activity, antiulcer activity, antimicrobial activity, cytotoxic activity, analgesic, antihelminthic, diuretic, hypotensive, lactogogue, purgative, sedative, stomachictonic and vermifuge (Schapoval et al., 1998). It is used for allergies and respiratory conditions such as colds, flu asthma, bronchitis and others; it is also used for digestive problems such as indigestion, acid reflux, ulcers, constipation, dyspepsia and slow digestion. Pregnant patients and patients with low blood pressure are advised not to use this plant because it is both hypotensive and abortive (Taylor, 2005). However, perusal of literature reveals that Pharmacognostic information as Stachytarpheta jamaicensis is totally lacking, hence in the present investigation was undertaken.

Microscopic studies
The plant samples of different parts were cut and removed from the plant and fixed in FAA (95 % Formalin -5 ml + 95 % Acetic acid -5 ml + 70 % Ethyl alcohol 90 ml). After 24 hours the materials was washed thoroughly with distilled water and microtome (Weswox TM Optik, model MT-1090A) section was taken, stained with safranin according to the prescribed methods (Sass, 1940). Photographs (Olympus SP-350, digital compact camera, 8.0 megapixels) were taken by phase contrast microscope.

3. Macroscopic studies
The macroscopic studies were carried out by naked eye in terms of taxonomical description. The organoleptic evaluation of different parts of the plant including colour, size, odour, appearance, taste, smell, texture and other characters (Wallis, 2005).

4. Pharmacognostical studies
Pharmacognostical studies on the leaf, stem and root of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis were carried out with a view to evolve standard and evolve morphological, anatomical, physicochemical studies like determination of ash values (Anonymous, 1980), pH of aqueous solution (Anonymous, 1987), extractive values (Anonymous, 1968), fluorescent analyses of leaf, stem and root powders were carried out (Pratt and Chase, 1949;Kokashi et al., 1958). Behavior of powdered plant sample with different chemical reagents and solvents was carried out by Kay (1938) and Johansen (1940) method.

1. Morphological studies
The root of S. jamaicensis are tap root system and branches are came from the tap root it was brown in color and very hard and the results are presented in (Table 1).

2. Microscopical studies of root of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
In the transfer section of the root, it was seen that, derived from the cork, the periderm tissue is formed, which replaces the epidermis in the outer layer (Fig. 1). The next tissue identified inwards was the cortex. Sclerenchyma was seen as a ring in the roots, while as a group, formed from a group of cells, in the mature ones. In the middle, xylem tissue occupies a large area, just below the phloem tissue.

Physico-chemical studies
Extractive values: The extractive values determined in petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, ethanol, methanol and aqueous using soxhlet apparatus are presented in (Table 2).   Total ash analysis showed more amount of S. jamaicensis compared to acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash and the results are presented in (Table 3). Table 3. Pharmacognostic characters of leaf, stem and root of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis.

S. No
Parameters Root

Determination of pH:
The percentage of pH values of various parts of drug were determination separately in aqueous solution found in (Table 3).

Fluorescence analysis of powder sample:
The result of fluorescence analysis of S. jamaicensis powdered of various parts and their extracts in different solvent like petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, ethanol, methanol and aqueous were shown in (Table 4).

Consistency of extracts:
The consistency of extracts of different parts of the S. jamaicensis was carried out and observed result are presented in (Table 5).

CONCLUSION
The present investigation of Pharmacognostical studies of the root of Stachytarpheta jamaicensis yielded a set of qualitative and quantitative parameters or standards that can serve as an important source of information to ascertain the identity and to determine the quality and purity of the plant materials for future studies