Phyto-Pharmacognostical Study of Zornia Gibbosa Span (Samyojaki)

Abstract

Recent survey shows that the plants extinction are occurring at rates hundreds of times higher than natural background rates, and 15,000 species of medicinal plants are now threatened. Under such circumstances the drugs which are abundantly available, common and cost-effective should be encouraged to control the extensive overuse of few classical drugs. Thus preventing them from verge of extinction and also reducing the chances of adulteration. Looking at the need of the hour the herb Zornia gibbosa Span which is abundantly available, cost-effective and highly used by folklore vaidyas of Udupi district of Karnataka for various ailments is chosen for detailed phyto-pharmacological analysis. Hence study was undertaken to identify morphological &histological markers to authenticate Zornia gibbosa Span along with phytochemical analysis to justify its therapeutic activity. Presence of foliacious bracts and mucilaginous leaf is a key to its morphological identification. On microscopic examination Zornia gibbosa has typical dicotyledonous structure. TS of all the three parts i.e. root, stem & leaf exhibits xeromorphic plant characters. The preliminary phytochemical study indicates the presence of Carbohydrate, Saponin and Phenol indicating towards its probable anti-inflammatory and analgesic action.
Keywords: Zornia gibbosa Span, histological markers, phenol, glycosides