A Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Different Members of SARIVA Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br., Cryptolepis buchananii Roem. & Schult, and Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br., (Sariva) is a well-known medicinal plant, which plays an important role in the preparation of Ayurvedic drugs in Sri Lanka. Since the demand for roots of this species is high, there is a known tendency for deliberate adulteration and substitution of it by two other plants, Cryptolepis buchananii Roem. & Schult, and Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R. Br. A serious problem faced by drug manufacturers at present is the difficulty in identifying raw materials available at the market due to similarities of external features. The objective of this study is to establish morphological, anatomical identification characters for genuine raw materials from its substitutes and adulterants. Plant materials of three species were collected from five different locations. In each location three plants were used and three maturity positions were considered for anatomical studies. Crude market samples were also collected from ten major dealers. Organoleptic studies were carried out according to the WHO guidelines. Sections were prepared by counter stain permanent slide methods for detailed anatomical studies. Multi layered thick-walled cork, number of cork cell layers, absence of fibre cells, mechanical elements and prismatic crystals in the cortex, comparatively small wood part, diffuse porous vessel arrangement, prominent uniseriate medullary rays, apotracheal parenchyma and absence of pith are all unique characteristics that could be used to differentiate H. indicus from its substitutes and adulterants. 56% –85% of samples available at the market seem to be closely related to authentic H. indicus.in their morphology and anatomy. (Chemical analyses of these samples are in progress)