Comparative Micrometric Evaluation of Leaves of Rakta (Plumbago rosea Linn.) and Sweta (Plumbago zeylanica Linn.) Chitraka

• Published in: Journal of Ayurveda (online) Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 201 - 207
• Main Authors: Sariga, K. S., Acharya, (Vaidya) Rabinarayan, Harisha, C. R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 01.09.2024
• Subjects: chitraka leaves; histology; rakta chitraka; sweta chitraka; therapeutic uses
• ISSN: 2321-0435; 2582-7693
• DOI: 10.4103/joa.joa_12_22

Introduction: Two varieties of Chitraka are widely used in the Ayurveda drug industry. The root is the part used in most of the formulations. Leaves of Chitraka are also used as an ingredient in many formulations, and leaves have many ethnomedicinal uses as well. Methods: Leaves of Plumbago rosea (PR) and Plumbago zeylanica (PZ) were evaluated for morphological and microscopical characteristics, including quantitative microscopy, surface study, powder microscopy, and histochemical studies. Results: In the macroscopic study the leaves of PR (14–17 cm) were found to be larger than PZ (8–14 cm). The petiole is smaller and reddish colored in PR whereas longer and greenish in PZ. The number of vascular bundles are more in the midrib of PR (7–9) compared to PZ (4–5). Sclerenchymatous arch-like structures present in the vascular bundles of the leaves are identifying characteristics of PR. Characteristic differences in the organoleptic characters were observed in individual powder samples. Conclusion: The specific pharmacognostical characteristics for the identification and differentiation of Sweta Chitraka and Rakta Chitraka were depicted here. The observed results can also be used as a reference standard for future works.