Pharmacognostic and Physicochemical Analysis of Thesium viride Hill

Abstract

Thesium viride Hill is a sub-shrub hemiparasite belongs to the family Santalaceae. Traditionally, the powdered whole plant is use for the treatment ulcer, jaundice and splenomegaly.   This study is aimed at establishing some of the pharmacognostic features and physiochemical parameters of the powdered whole plant which can be utilize in the development of the plant monograph. The powdered whole plant material was examined by microscope and its physicochemical parameters such as; moisture content, extractive values and ash values were also determined. Microscopical examination of the powdered whole plant of T. viride identified the presence of straight walled polygonal epidermal cells, paracytic stomatal cells and unicellular covering trichomes, were found to be present. The powdered plant was found to have a moisture content (5.33%), total ash (10.33%), acid insoluble ash (3.17%), water soluble ash (4.93%), and ethanol extractive (4.87%) while water extractive (5.93%) values. Some of the pharmacognostic features and physicochemical parameters of powdered T. viride were identified and established.