Anatomical, physico-chemical, and phytochemical investigations of Ceropegia bulbosa var. lushii

Abstract

Ceropegia bulbosa Roxb. belonging to Asclepiadaceae family is found distributed throughout India. The root is extensively used in treatment of diarrhoea, dysentery, and kidney stone. It also exhibits analgesic and diuretic activities. The sweet sour leaves are edible and are considered to be tonic and digestive. Authenticity of the crude drug should be ensured when used for remedial purposes. The present study was thus undertaken for systematic pharmacognostical evaluation of the leaf, stem and root of the plant with respect to macroscopy, microscopy, and phyisco-chemical parameters. Preliminary phytochemical investigation indicated the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, sterols, glycosides among others. These parameters would be useful in identification and authentication of the crude drug.