Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: Elytraria acaulis is traditionally used in treatment of burns, diarrhoea, throat compliments, fever, venereal diseases, kidney stone,
tooth ache, asthma, migraine, leucorrhoea, piles, mammary tumours, pneumonia and infantile diarrhoea. The present study
involves certain histological, pharmacognostical standardization and preliminary phytochemical investigations which may help
in isolation, characterization of active constituents. Microscopy of different plant parts and powder of Elytraria acaulis were
performed. Pharmacognostic standardization parameters were determined as per the WHO guidelines. Parameters like extractive
value in different solvents, ash values and loss on drying were determined. Preliminary phytochemical studies, fluorescence
analysis and chromatographic profiling were performed for the identification and characterisation of drug and its constituents.
Starch and lignin are present while calcium oxalate was absent in all plant parts. In microscopic studies leaf constants were
stomatal number 11.11±1.90, stomatal index 28.99±2.03, vein islet number 5.42±0.99, vein termination number 4.76±1.08, and
palisade ratio 9 to 13. Chemoprofiling showed presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, volatile oils, and carbohydrates
in both aerial and underground parts of plant, while proteins, glycosides and coumarins are present in underground parts while
these are absent in aerial plant parts. The results of the performed studies are helpful in correct identification, characterisation
of Elytraria acaulis. Preliminary phytochemical studies and chromatographic profiling may be helpful in further isolation and
purification of lead compounds from different extracts.

Key words: Elytraria acaulis, Shekhawati, histology, standarisation, phytochemicals