Pharmacognostical Studies of Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. Tubers

The present study on Dioscorea bulbifera Linn. tuber deals with the macroscopical and microscopical details including powder microscopy. Some important and distinct diagnostical characters were observed with sections of matured tuber. The anatomy of tuber was studied by taking transverse sections. Narrow and indistinct epidermal layer, wider cortex with compact and dialated cell containing tannin, thin and less conspicuous periderm, central pith of circular and compact parenchyma cells and large cylindrical and elliptical starch grains were observed. Powder microscopy of the powder revealed the presence of bundles of xylem element and thick walled parenchyma cells. Physicochemical parameters and preliminary phytochemical screening was done on the tuber. The present Pharmacognostical study on the tubers of Dioscorea bulbifera Linn will provide the necessary information’s regarding the identification of this drug, which will be further helpful in acceptability of this plant worldwide.