Abstract

The establishment of pharmacognostic standards of traditional plants is prerequisite for selecting authenticated plants for research purpose. The pharmacognostic standards of an Indian traditional plant, i.e., Abies pindrow Royle (Silver Fir; family- Pinaceae) has been established. Transverse section of leaf through midrib showed presence of epidermis, palisade cells, vascular bundles, spongy cells, phloem and xylem whereas stem showed the presence of cork, cortex, pericyclic fibres, phloem, xylem and pith. Pitted vessel, pericyclic fibre, unicellular covering trichome and anomocytic stomata were observed in powdered microscopy. Total ash was about 2 and 4 times more than acid insoluble and water soluble ash, respectively. Alcohol soluble extractive value was found to be slightly less than water soluble extractive value. Foreign organic matter, moisture and tannin contents were found to be nil, 8.03% and 2.11% w/w, respectively. Swelling index, foaming index, bitterness value and haemolytic value were found to be 1.2, <100, 4000 and nil, respectively. Volatile oil content was found to be 0.85% v/w. Quantitative chemical parameters viz., acid-, saponification-, ester-, hydroxyl-, iodine-, peroxide-, acetyl values and unsaponifiable matter for the volatile oil were also generated. The content of toxic residues was estimated and found to comply with the limits as per World Health Organization. Phytochemically, the plant was found to contain fats, triterpenoids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, proteins and carbohydrates. Thin layer chromatography of n-hexane, chloroform, methanol extracts and volatile oil showed eleven, eight, ten and eleven spots, respectively, using suitable mobile phases.