PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF ROOT OF DATURA METEL L.

Background: Datura metel L. belongs to family Solanaceae is an annual or biennial shrub-like plant is native to Asia, Africa, and the Americas specifically to tropical and subtropical regions. The root of plant is used as analgesic, antipyretic, anti inflammatory, antispasmodic, wound healing, antifungal, antibacterial, sedative and hypnotic. Its significance increased due to its efficacy in case of bites of rabid dogs. Hence, Pharmacognostic evaluation of Datura metal L. dried Roots was carried out and reported. Methodology: Morphoanatomical, powder microscopic evaluation, physicochemical parameter TLC were carried out according to the API. Dried crude drug powder analysis, micro chemical evaluation, preliminary screening for phytoconstituent category were carried out as per standard protocol. Results: Diagnostic features of microscopic studies is characterized by presence of thick walled polygonal cork, lignified cells in cortical region, exarch xylem, lignified pitted parenchyma from xylem region and oil globules. Physicochemical parameter showed total ash (10.66%), acid insoluble ash (1.02%), water-soluble extractive (9.48%) and alcohol soluble extractive (2.46%). Conclusions: quality standard data for root of Datura metel can be used as standard for authentication and detection of adulteration.