Studies on the Pharmacognosy Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Ziziphus oenoplia L Mill Rhamnaceae A Folklore Medicinal Plant

Abstract

The present study was aimed at establishing scientific validation with supporting data of the plant Zoenoplia (L.) Mill. family Rhamnaceae on its pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and pharmacolgical actitivites in reference to hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, wound healing, anti-bacterial, antifungal and anti-oxidant activities which has not been documented earlier. The study for the first time designed to focus on the systematic isolation of the phytoconstituents, identification and subjecting the same for screening the pharmacological actions in order to establish and standardize the claims of folklore medicine. PHARMACOGNOSY: Plants are becoming potential source for phytoconstituent with varied pharmacological activity and therapeutic applications. Identifying such plants of potential use in medicine is of significance and as a prelude to this, it becomes necessary to examniie in the various pharamacognostic characters of the plant before further investigation. Besides botanical identification the pharmacognostic characters throw light on the standardization of the plant in its crude or in powder form. Additionally, it helps to differentiate between the specie or between the species and adulterents or substituents. Considreing this point in view the present study reveals the macroscopical, microscopical data of Z.oenoplia (L.) Mill. In addition the study also reveals other parameters such as physicochemical constants and powder analysis. The results and the investigations highlights mainly on_ botanical standardization of Z.oenoplia (Mill) and thus fills up the lacunae in the plant under investigation. Macroscopical features are readily available characters for identification of drug when it is available in full form namely leaf, stem, fruit and seed. But in case of drug existence in the form of fragment features recognized by pharmacognosist have to be considered for assuming its botanical standards.(Fig:1-16). The ash value is one of the physicochemical constant furnish a base for judging the identity and purity.