Pharmacognostic Study of Leaves of Cordia dichotoma Linn

Cordia dichotoma Linn (Family - Boraginaceae) is found commonly in India. Recent pharmacological findings indicate that its fruits possess significant activities like anthelmintic, diuretic, demulcent and expectorant, and are also used in disease of chest and urinary passage. A decoction of bark is used in dyspepsia and fever. These comply with the claims made in the traditional medicinal texts. However, no conclusive pharmacognostic study of its leaves has been performed yet. The present investigation deals with the qualitative and quantitative microscopic evaluation of the leaf material. Chief microscopic characters include vascular bundles having patches of perimedullary phloem and unicellular and multicellular covering trichomes. Chief characters of powder include anomocytic stomata, calcium oxalate prisms and clusters and xylem vessels with Reticulate thickening. Such a study would serve as a useful gauge in standardization of the leaf material, ensuring quality formulations, and distinguishing it from other species of Cordia.