Phytochemical screening, pharmacognostic study and physicochemical evaluation of leaf of Crotalaria pallida Aiton

The present work attempts to carry out preliminary phytochemical screening, detailed pharmacognostic study and physicochemical evaluation of leaf of Crotalaria pallida. Crotalaria pallida Aiton. is a plant with vast medicinal properties. The plant has been traditionally used for the treatment of swelling of joints , fever , vermifuge, skin diseases and also The plant and its parts are reported to posses anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antibacterial & antifungal activities. Fresh leaf and dried powder of the leaves were used to studied for macroscopy, microscopy, preliminary phytochemical screening and florescence analysis of powder drug. Other physicochemical parameter were also performed as per WHO guide lines. Leaf constant such as stomatal number, stomatal index, palisade ratio, vein islet number, vein termination number were all so determined. The preliminary phytochemical screening showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, phenols, steroids and tannins in all the solvent extract & carbohydrates abscent in all the extract. These studies provided referential information for correct identification and standardization of this plant material. and detection of adulterants of this plant material.