A Pharmacognostical Study on Stem of Capparis decidua Edgew.

Abstract

Capparis decidua (Family, Capparidaceae), commonly known as ‘Kair’, is a xerophytic plant distributed throughout the arid regions of India and other countries. The plant is used traditionally for various medicinal purposes. The present study deals with the development of pharmacognostical and physico-chemical parameters of Capparis decidua stem. Fresh stems were studied for macroscopical and microscopical characters. The stem is much branched; each branch is slender and bears spines. Mature branches are leafless and show brownish bark. Microscopically, young stem shows epidermis with sunken stomata and a thick cuticle, hypodermis made up of palisade-like cells and sclereids, cortex with stone cells band and group of cortical fibres, pericyclic fibres, a ring of vascular bundles and well-developed pith with pitted and lignified cells. Crystals of calcium oxalate and starch grains are found throughout the transverse section. Old stem shows a similar structure, but epidermis and hypodermis are replaced by cork. Powder of stem shows epidermis, stone cells, sclereids, fibres, xylem vessels, crystals of calcium oxalate, starch grains and fragments of cortex and pith. The moisture content, water and alcohol soluble extractives and ash values were also determined. The quality parameters developed would serve as useful tool in standardization of C. decidua stem.