Pharmacognostic studies on Plaksa (Ficus virens Ait.) stem bark

Abstract

Ficus virens Ait. of family Moraceae, is an important plant employed in various indigenous systems of medicine against several diseases. The current communication provides a detailed account of the pharmacognostical investigation carried out on Ficus virens stem bark. The study includes macro and micromorphological characters including powder characteristics, physicochemical studies, HPTLC fingerprinting and preliminary phytochemical aspects. The results of the study could be useful for the identification and preparation of a monograph of the plant.