Pharmacognostic characterization and development of quality control standards for Dictamnus albus: a comparative study of different parts

Dictamnus albus L. (Rutaceae), commonly known as gas plant, has tremendous medicinal importance. Although the plant has been scientifically evaluated for its various biological activities but no work has not been carried out till date on pharmacognostic characterization of the plant. This study aims to investigate the comparative pharmacognostic and physicochemical standards for different parts of D. albus (leaves, stem, root, flower and fruits). The measures taken were macroscopy, organoleptic study, anatomy, powder microscopy, foreign matter analysis, ash values, loss on drying, swelling index, foaming index, pH values, fluorescence analysis and extractive yield. Macroscopic and organoleptic studies revealed that D. albus is a herbaceous perennial with thick and branched root; lanceolate, sessile and pubescent leaves; hollow and glabrous stem; terminal paniculate inflorescence and star shaped fruits and each part has a characteristic odor with a bitter taste. Anatomy of D. albus revealed some diagnostic characteristics- irregular shaped epidermal cells and unicellular trichomes in leaves; hexagonal pith cells containing secretory cells in stem and cortex containing oil globules in root. The powder analysis showed peculiar features as—wavy epidermal cells, different trichomes, prismatic crystals, oil globules and lignified spiral and pitted vessels in leaf; prismatic calcium oxalate sheath and lignified spiral and pitted vessels in stem; cork cells and sieve elements in root; lignified spiral vessels, stomata, trichomes and secretary glands in flowers; stone cells, secretary glands, glandular trichomes, lignified spiral and pitted vessels, prismatic crystals in fruit. Also, the analysis of pharmacognostic parameters of different parts resulted in a valuable data to establish standards for the plant.The present study for the first time provides a complete pharmacognostic profile of D. albus, thereby, acting as a platform for correct identification, authentication and development of quality control parameters of the species. Unlike taxonomic identification, pharmacognostic studies includes those parameters and standards that prove helpful in identifying adulteration in powdered form also. Data obtained may be used a standard for future studies.