Microscopic and Histological Observations of the Medicinal Leaves of Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass. (Asteraceae)

Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass., Syn. G. oleifera D.C., Polymnia abyssinica L.f., Suppl., Verbesina sativa Roxb., Jaegeria abyssinica Spr., commonly known as Ramtil in Hindi and Niger in English belongs to family Asteraceae (Compositae)  is native of Abyssinica (South Africa). The plant is used in the treatment of various diseases such as arthritis, microbial infections and seed oil serve as contraceptives. The leaves of Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass. (Asteraceae) are popular in Indian traditional medicine and as such provides good to develop herbal drug preparation to be used as phytomedicine. International criteria for validation and standardization of an herbal material as phytomedicine include microscopy and histological examination of raw material to guarantee its authenticity. The fresh leaves were taken to study the histology of the species. The thin section was made and treated with saffranine, chloral hydrate and iodine solution, mounted with glycerine and observed under microscope. Similarly, the dried leaves was made in to powder and was taken in glass slide, stained and mounted with glycerine, observed under microscope to reveal the powder character. The anatomical study revealed the presence of multicellular trichomes, stomata, chloroplast, conjoint and collateral vascular bundle, while powder microscopy revealed the presence of xylem vessels, parenchyma, calcium oxalate crystals etc. Thus, the present paper aims at setting the anatomical standards to establish quality control parameter for the raw material. The data obtained in present study will serve as valuable tool for identification, authentication and detection of adulterants, standardization and quality control of the plant Guizotia abyssinica (L.f.) Cass.