Pharmacognostical evaluation of Alstonia scholaris (L.) R.Br (Saptaparṇa), roots

Abstract

Plants are among the richest sources of bioactive compounds throughout the world and have been used in traditional medicine systems for thousands of years, and still continue to provide new remedies to mankind. The medicinal plant Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br. (Saptaparṇa, Chhatim) is extensively used in Ayurveda, the Indian school of traditional medicine. The present study reports the physicochemical characteristics and pharmacognostical investigation of roots of Alstonia scholaris. Organoleptic, macroscopic and microscopic studies have been performed. These give referential information for identification parameters of the drug.