Pharmacognostical studies on roots of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch.

Zaky, Kerollos A.; Abdelaal, Yara M.; Ashour, Areej A.; Zeid, Tasneem Z.; Hussien, Taha A; Ahmed, Amany S

doi:10.21608/sjpms.2022.164141.1015

Pharmacognostical studies on roots of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch.

Document Type : Original research articles

Authors

¹ Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, New Assiut, Egypt

² Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sphinx University, New Assiut, Egypt

³ Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Assuit University, Assuit 71526, Egypt

10.21608/sjpms.2022.164141.1015

Abstract

The plant selected for the present study was Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch, which belongs to Asteraceae family. S. costus roots are used traditionally to cure a variety of conditions, including infection in the throat, dysentery, ulcers, and asthma. Studies have shown that S. costus roots have a wide range of therapeutic effects, including anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, hepatoprotective, and anti-inflammatory. In the present study, a pharmacognostical evaluation was done to provide supplementary information on the identification parameters of S. costus. This evaluation includes the examination of morphological and microscopical characters; fluorescence studies; determination of physicochemical parameters; and phytochemical screening. Qualitative chemical detection of inulin in root powder was also carried out. The microscopical study found the presence of resin ducts, xylem vessels, inulin crystals, cork cells, tracheids, and fibres. The photomicrographs of microscopical elements are displayed in this study. The preliminary phytochemical screening of the root of S. costus revealed the presence of terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and many other constituents. The current pharmacognostical assessment of S. costus roots can be successfully used in laboratory and manufactory operations for the identification of plant powder and the detection of adulteration, which are considered important parameters for the plant prior to its usage.

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