Morpho-anatomical and physicochemical studies of Fumaria indica(Hausskn.)Pugsley

Objective:To study morpho-anatomical characters and physicochemical analysis of Fumaria indica(F.indica)(Hausskn.)Pugsley,(Fumariaceae),an important medicinal plant used extensively for treating a variety of ailments in various system of indigenous medicine.Methods:Evaluation of the different parts of the plant was carried out to determine the morphoanatomical,physicochemical,phytochemical and HPTLC fingerprinting profile of F.indica and other WHO recommended methods were performed for standardization.Results:Morphoanatomical studies showed compound and pinnatifid leaf,4 to 6 cm in length,linear and oblong in shape and anomocytic arrangement of stomata,thin walled parenchymatous cells,scattered,sclerenchymatous,capped vascular bundles and radiating medullary rays.Physicochemical studies showed foreign matter 0.2%,loss on drying 6.8%,total ash 16.77%,alcohol and water soluble extractives 8.92%and 20.26%,respectively,sugar 17.75%,starch 22.97%and tannins 2.37%.Phytochemical evaluation revealed the presence of carbohydrate,alkaloids,flavonoids,saponins,tannins and sterol.Thin layer chromatography was carried out with different solvents and the best solvent system was chloroform and methanol in 80:20 ratio and revealed 12 spots with different R_f value under UV light 366λ.Conclusions:The results of the study can serve as a valuable source of information and provide suitable standards for identification of this plant material for future investigations and applications.