Determination of Physicochemical Parameters, Microscopy and Morphological Study of Medicinal Plant- Acalypha indica

Abstract

The Euphorbiaceae family, which is considered one of the largest families of Angiosperms, covers about 7,800 species distributed in approximately 300 genera and 5 subfamilies worldwide. These species occur preferentially in tropical and subtropical environments.
Acalypha indica belonging to the family Euphorbiaceae commonly known as haritha manjari, and Khokhali is an erect annual herb with stem dark green, quadrangular and longitudinal furrows and wings. It is used as expectorant, purgative, emetic, gastrointestinal irritant, diuretic, cathartic and anthelmintic. It is also used in constipation, skin diseases, ulcers bronchitis, and Cardiac diseases. The plant was found to contain secondary metabolites like, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, lactones, terpenoids, cyanogenetic glucosides and glucosinolates, phenantherenes, quinines, phenolic acids etc.
The present study was carried out to investigate Powdered drug stem part of plant of Acalypha indica was used for the determination of various physiochemical parameters such as foreign matter, loss on drying, total ash value, water soluble ash value, and acid insoluble ash value and heavy metals analysis, Morphological and Microscopical Evaluation are important tool for the identification and purity of this plant. Moreover, the parameters estimated in the present study will also aid in maintaining the genuine nature of this plant thereby help in preventing the possible steps of adulteration/substitution with other Acalypha species.