Objective of present work is to study detailed Pharmacognosy of the leaves of Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn (Oleaceae), an important plant in Indian system of medicine. Macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical analysis, preliminary phytochemical testing of powder of the plant leaf and other WHO recommended methods for the standardization was done. Results showed that leaf is dorsiventral type as palisade cells are present towards one side of the lamina. Xylem and phloem are observed in the TS of midrib surrounded by sclerenchyma cells. Discontinuous strips of sclerenchyma cells are present surrounding to the phloem tissue is observed in the TS of the midrib. The stomata observed are actinocytic. Surface view showed branched vein terminations that are ââ?¬Ë?dendroidââ?¬â?¢ in outline. Preliminary phytochemical screening ascertains presence of steroids and triterpenes in petroleum ether and chloroform extract, alkaloid and flavonoids in ethyl acetate and ethanol extract and alkaloid, tannins, glycosides, carbohydrates and flavonoids in aqueous extract of the plant bark. It can be concluded that the pharmacognostic profile of N. arbortristis leaves is helpful in developing standards for quality, purity and sample identification.
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