Sudhakaran MV: Botanical pharmacognosy of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. Ex.

Nees

Figure 7c. T.S. of root of Andrographis paniculata Nees: central Figure 7f. R.L.S. of root of Andrographis paniculata Nees showing
portion enlarged ( 10). fibres ( 40).

ranges from 7.411.6 m and 24.742.2 m in length.

Radial longitudinal section showed the vessel to vessel pit-
ting was in alternate position (Figure 7e). The pits mod-
erately sparse and pit aperture about 2.69 m in diameter.

Powder Microscopy

The dried leaves, root and stem of Andrographis paniculata

were analyzed for powder characteristics. Microscopic
examination showed fragments of leaf epidermis with
diacytic, stomata (Figure 8g) and fairly large cystoliths in
upper and lower epidermis (Figure 8 and 8f). Stem and
root powder showed abundant pyramidal calcium oxalate
crystals (Figure 8c).Vessel elements with bordered pits
and intervessel pitting in alternate position (Figure 8b) and
Figure 7d. R.L.S. of root showing crystals in xylem vessels lignified fibers with pointed ends (Figure 8d) were
( 10). observed. Fragment of parenchymatous tissues of the
cortex (Figure 8h) were also observed.

Figure 7e. R.L.S. of root of Andrographis paniculata showing Figure 8. Powder microscopy of stem showing cystoliths in
pits in alternate positions ( 40). parenchymatous cells ( 10).

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 Sudhakaran MV: Botanical pharmacognosy of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. Ex. Nees

Figure 8f. Powder microscopy of leaf showing lamina ( 10).

Figure 8b. Powder microscopy of root- vessel elements ( 40).

Figure 8c. Powder microscopy of root showing prismatic Figure 8g. Powder microscopy of leaf showing stomata ( 40).
crystals ( 10).

Figure 8h. Powder microscopy of stem showing parenchyma

Figure 8d. Powder microscopy of root-Fibre ( 40). cells ( 40).

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 Sudhakaran MV: Botanical pharmacognosy of Andrographis paniculata (Burm. F.) Wall. Ex. Nees

Fluorescence Analysis l. up = lower epidermis; mdr = medullary rays; pal =

The use of fluorescence can be very useful adjunct to
botanical pharmacognosy, since it can be applied as
rapid and easy test to verify certain identifications of the
botanicals. When exposed to the day light, root powder
of Andrographis paniculata was found to be white color,
stem powder was green and leaf powder was found to
be of dark green color. Powder of whole plant mix-
ture was found to be light green color. The Fluores-
cence property of the powdered drug extracts taken in
different solvent systems was analyzed under UV light
(long and short). Specimens were recorded as either
fluorescent (with color and intensity) or not fluorescent
and their responses under UV light are presented in
Table 2.
palisade cell; ph = phloem; pi = pith; scb = sclerenchy-
matous bundle sheath; spa, spo = spongy parenchyma;
s.co = secondary cortex; s.ph = secondary phloem; st =
stomata; stcl = stone cell; str = starch grain; s.xy = sec-
ondary xylem; tri = trichome; t.c = stalk cell; xy = xylem;
u.epi = upper epidermis; tyl = tylosis; vb = vascular bundle;
VI = vein islet; VT veinlet termination; wd = wood.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author is thankful to Dr. PK Ashok, Principal,
Government Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram
for providing facilities for carrying out this work.

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