Pharmacognostic profile of root of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlechter

Medicinal plants are traditionally found to be useful for many ailments. The present study highlights the pharmacognostical as well as phytochemical studies including parameters such as macroscopic, microscopic characters, physicochemical evaluation, chemomicroscopy and preliminary phytochemical studies of the root of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta. The morphological studies shows a root light to medium brown in color with hard and brittle texture, prisms of calcium oxalate crystals, sclereids and parenchyma cells. The transverse section showed parenchyma cells, vascular cambium, ray lines and phelloderm. Physico-chemical standards and their percentage values w/w were found to be: total ash (14.02±0.12), acid insoluble ash (5.08±0.18, %), water soluble ash (4.02±0.27%), sulphated ash (4.26±0.11%), alcohol soluble extractive (6.20±0.45%), water soluble extractive (28.40±0.75%) and moisture content (6.80±0.25%). Chemomicroscopical investigation revealed presence of lignin, tannin, oils, cellulose and calcium oxalate. Phytochemical analysis of the root revealed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, resins, proteins, steroids and terpenoids. These findings will help in identification, standardization of the root of Cryptolepis sanguinolenta (Lindl.) Schlechter and also distinguish it from its adulterants.