Evaluation of Pharmacognostical & Physico-chemical Standards of the Leaf of Cassia tora Linn

Pharmacognostic investigation of the fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of the leaves of Cassia tora Linn was carried out to determine its macro- and microscopical characters and also some of its physical constants. Leaves 7.5-10 cm long; rhachis grooved, more or less pubescent, with a conical gland between each of the 2 lowest pairs of leaflets; stipules 1.3-2 cm. long, linear-subulate, caducous. Leaflets 3 pairs, opposite, 2.5-4.5 by 1.3-2.5 cm. Externally, the leaves possess somewhat oblique, usually rounded base. Internally, its shows the presences of paracytic stomata, unicellular, uniseriated-covering trichomes with swollen base and an acute apex, prism crystals of calcium oxalate and fiber elements. The chemo-microscopy revealed the presences of Starch polyphenol lignins, steroid, flavonoid, alkaloid. The results of the study could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of a monograph of the plant