Pharmacognostical and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies on the Stem Bark of Soymida febrifuga (Roxb)

Soymida febrifuga is commonly known as Shem in Tamil and Indian red wood in English. In Ayurveda the bark is used as a good cure for ulcer, leprosy and dysentery. In unani the bark is used as an astringent to the bowel and useful in fever. The bark is also used in vaginal infection, rheumatic swellings, oedema, wounds, dental problems, uterine bleeding and malarial fever. There was no report on the pharmacognostic study of the plant and hence the present investigation deals with the anatomical, microscopical, powder microscopy, physio-chemical, fluorescence analysis, Thin layer chromatography and high performance thin layer chromatography. The study revealed the presence of drugs of calcium oxalate, tannins dilated phloem rays, sieve elements and schlerids. Phytochemical studies showed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, flavanoids and tannins.