PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERISATION OF VETIVERIA ZIZANIOIDES (L.) NASH ROOTS

Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash has been suggested in the Indian system of medicine as the roots of Usira for a number of diseases such as fever, dysuria, fatigue syndrome, wound healing, skin disorders, etc. (Jvara, Trishna, Mutrakrachhra, Vrana). This will be created helpfulness towards this medicinal plant and for preparation of different Ayurvedic formulations i.e Usira sava, Yogarajaguggulu, Sadanga Kvatha Curna. The objective of the present study is to develop the pharmacognostic and phytochemical profiles of Vetiveria zizanioides (L.) Nash root. The present study considers the detail investigation of macroscopy, microscopy, preliminary qualitative phytochemical analysis, physicochemical evaluations and HPTLC chromatography profiling. Microscopical investigation shows the presence of rectangular cells of epidermis, elongated and polygonal parenchyma groups, oval aerenchymatous cells, cork cells, elongated cells sclereids, sclerenchymatous stone cells, groups of sclerenchymatous fiber, prismatic crystals of calcium oxalate and starch grains. The presence of various secondary metabolites was confirmed by phytochemical screening and HPTLC profiling. Identification and authentication of roots may be helpful from botanical and chemical screening data for developing pharmacopoeial standards.