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A comprehensive account on standardization of herbal drug Nigella sativa L. (Tukhm-e-Kalonji) by using microscopic as well as pharmacognostic parameters. In the field of herbal medicines, the main issues are quality, purity, and effectiveness, as in many cases herbal drugs are knowingly or unknowingly substituted or adulterated with similar species or varieties. In herbal market the seeds of N. sativa are commonly adultered with seeds of Allium cepa L. intentionally or accidentally due to their similar morphology. In the present study, the microscopic characterization of herbal drug was done by morphological, palynological, and anatomical features. A great diversity was found in anatomical features of two species, as irregular epidermal cells, actinocytic stomata, and nonglandular trichomes were found in N. sativa while in A. cepa epidermal cells were rectangular in shape, stomata type was paracytic, and trichomes were absent. Pharmacognostic characterization was made by fluorescence analysis and physiochemical parameters. Physicochemical parameters like moisture content, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, and water insoluble ash were also evaluated. The above parameters, being reported to the first time for the studied plant species, and are significant towards establishing the microscopic and pharmacognostic standards for future identification and authentication of genuine herbal drug. Research highlights• Microscopic Investigations for the standardization of herbal drug Nigella sativa L. (Tukhm-e-Kalonji).• Pharmacognostic techniques are potentially significant for the standardization of herbal drug Nigella sativa in comparison with its adulterant.• Useful for preparation of standards for herbal pharmacopeia.

Current research carried out in Pakistan is the first report on spermoderm ornamentation of eight species of tribe Acacieae (Mimosoidae) by using scanning electron microscopic techniques representing two genera, Fedherbia and Acacia were examined. Different spermoderm ornamentation were observed, described and discussed for their taxonomic importance. Seeds surfaces of the studied tribe possess novel variations in macro and micro morphology. Great variations were observed in both qualitative and quantitative characters of seeds. Seeds shape was oblong, ovate to elliptical and spermoderm ornamentation was levigate, rugose, polygonal and discoid, colliculate, and papillose type. These variations in the spermoderm ornamentation can be used as an aid in identification and classification of the members of tribe Acacieae.

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The study is aimed to provide a comprehensive account on authentication of herbal drug named as Tukhm‐e‐balango (Lallemantia royleana Benth.) from the seeds of Ocimum basilicum by using microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization. The crude medicinal plants and their parts are often adulterated or substituted in market due to improper identification by the consumers while among herbal plant sellers, taxonomic confusion is caused due to morphological similarities of the plant parts and lack of a standard identification system.In microscopy, both herbarium and fresh specimens were studied using qualitative and quantitative morphological characteristics of leaves, seeds, and pollen. For pharmacognosy, solubility, fluorescence, and physicochemical characterizers were analyzed whereas a total phenolic and flavonoids contents was determined in addition to DPPH radical scavenging activity. In current study, microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization clearly differentiated L. royleana from O. basilicum. The major problem in herbal drug industry is caused due to confusion and controversy of certain synonyms used for more than one or two drugs. Sometimes, under the same common or local name, entirely different taxa are being sold in herbal markets. It is concluded that correct and proper identification of medicinal plants is very crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines, as many medicinal plants are intentionally or unintentionally adulterated with similar species or varieties. In herbal market, the seeds of L. royleana are adulterated with seeds of O. basilicum due to their similar morphology.