Preliminary pharmacognostical standardisation of Ruta graveolens L. aerial parts

摘要

Ruta graveolens L. belonging to family Rutaceae is commonly known as Common rue and locally as Sudab in India. It is an important medicinal plant used in capillary fragility, for eye diseases, as stimulant and emmenagogue. As the herb is used widely in the Indian traditional system, it was thought worthwhile to undertake the standardization of its aerial parts. Aerial parts consist mainly of leaves that are 3-5 inch long, flowers are tetramerous and fruits are 4-5 lobed. In the powdered form it had pungent odor and exceedingly bitter taste. Microscopical examination of powder of aerial parts showed fragments of epidermis, glandular trichomes, stone cells, lignified xylem elements and abundant calcium oxalate crystals. Successive extractive value was highest in aqueous extract (16.08% on dry weight basis). Mean ash values (%) were 8.13 (total), 2.01 (acid insoluble ash) and 1.02 (water soluble ash). Loss on drying was found to be 4.03% and pH values of aqueous extract was 6.74. Bitterness value of aerial parts was 1.28; foaming index was less than 100. Screening of all extracts indicated the presence of all phytoconstituents except saponins. TLC fingerprints of extracts of aerial parts were also developed.