Title: Pharmacognostic studies of the seeds of Ulex europaeus Linn.

Objective: Pharmacognostic evaluation of the seeds of Ulex europaeus Linn.

Material and Methods: The authentic seeds of the plant Ulex europaeus Linn. were supplied by the Survey of Medicinal Plants & Collection Unit, Ooty (T.N) for drug standardization studies. Transactional and longitudinal sections were prepared by the microtomy of the seeds at 15-20 microns as per schedule of Johansen (1940). The standard methods of macro, microscopical characterization in sections and powder of seeds were followed (Trease and Evans 1978; Johansen 1968). Photomicrographs pertaining to histological characters were taken with the help of Olympus PM-6 (Japan). The Camera Lucida mirror type was employed for the line drawing of tissues / cells in powder and transactions of seeds (Trease and Evans 1978).

Result: Macroscopy of the seed is characterized by strophiolate seeds, 3X2 mm in size, hard, and shining, brownish green to black externally without scar or marking. Microscopy of seed is characterized by palisade like epidermis, dumble shaped sclereids, broad zone of aerenchyma, cotyledons with cytoplasmic grains and tracheidial bar in hilum region.

Conclusion: The diagnostic characteristics of seeds of Ulex europaeus Linn. are distinct palisade like compact epidermis, specific dumble or ‘l’ shaped sclereids, wavy walled aerenchyma & polygonal cytoplasmic grains in both cotyledons, a pitted tracheidial bar in median groove of hilum region and parenchymatous mass of funicle. The characteristics may be taken as Pharmacopoeial Standards in respect of the raw drug.

Published in: CCRH Quarterly Bulletin, Vol. 25(3&4) 2003, pp 8-11