Title: Quality Control of Homoeopathic Drug Moringa Oleifera with Special Reference to Pharmaco- Anatomical Profile.

Objective: To determine the Pharmaco- Anatomical profile of Homoeopathic drug Moringa oleifera.

Materials and Methods: Authentic sample of raw drug Moringa oleifera was supplied by Survey of Medicinal Plants and Collection Unit, Udhagamandalam. Macroscopical and powder studies of various parts of the plant were performed according to Trease & Evans (1972) and Jackson & Snowdon (1986). Free hand as well as microtomed section (12-18 microns) were prepared and stained in safranin and fast green combination for microscopical examination (Johansen 1940). Quantitative microscopic studies were conducted by using methods s described by Trease & Evans (1972) and Wallis (1967). Microchemical tests were undertaken according to Johansen (1940).

Results: Pharmaco-anatomical profile of whole plant of Moringa oleifera was determined. Macroscopy revealed: thick, soft, corky, deeply fissured bark; stem woody, slender, branched, and corky; leaves alternate, exstipulate, and usually 3-pinnate.

Microscopy is characterized by thick striated cork, sclereids, fibre grains in stem bark; sclereids single or in group, sclerenchymatous patches in the cortex, bi or tri-seriate medullary rays, mucilaginous cavity in the pith, prismatic crystals and starch grains in the cortex of stem; Unicellular trichomes on both surfaces of leaf. Anomocytic stomata on abaxial surface, crescent shaped vascular bundles in the leaf lamina. Palisade ratio 11.9-17, stomatal index 6.89-9.53. Vein islet no.5-7 sq per mm, vein termination no.3-5 sq per mm;

Conclusion: Diagnostic features described in the present findings may be taken as standards of the drug as quality measures.

Published in: CCRH, Quarterly Bulletin Vol.18 (3 &4) 1996, pp 20-24.