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Introduction: Capsicum frutescens is a well known spice. Leaves and fruits of the species are used in Ayurveda, Unani and Traditional system of medicines to cure various disorders. Therefore the study was aimed to investigate pharmacognostic parameters of C. frutescens leaf and fruit. Methods: Pharmacognostic studies were carried out in terms of morphological, microscopic characters and physicochemical parameters of C. frutescens samples using standard methods. Results: Smaller fruit size and color of C. frutescens was the distinguishing morphological character observed in the present study. The detailed microscopy of leaf confirmed the presence of rod shaped calcium oxalate crystals, oleoresin cells, pitted parenchyma and fruits with specified oleoresin, sclereid and stone cells with unicellular trichomes on persistent calyx. Physicochemical parameters like ash values, extractive values and nutritive values were determined. Fluorescence analysis of both leaf and fruit powder was determined using organic and inorganic solvents. Preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, carbohydrates and proteins. Conclusion: Observed pharmacognostic characters in this study may help in identification and standardization of C. frutescens leaf and fruit.

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Achyranthes coynei is a rare, endemic perennial shrub reported from Karnataka and Maharashtra states of India. The plant is used to treat various disorders by folk healers and was proven to have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The present study was undertaken to evaluate microscopic and macroscopic characters of A. coynei stem, along with its physicochemical parameters. ProgRes® CapturePro and Microsoft Excel were used for statistical analysis. Perennial, shrubby nature and woody stem were the distinguishing morphological characters observed. Transverse section (TS) illustrated quadrangular outline of the stem and showed the presence of two types of trichomes on the thick-walled epidermis. TS also showed number of rosette calcium oxalates crystals; prismatic and microsphenoid crystals; conjoint, collateral open secondary vascular bundles; and two amphixylic medullary bundles in the pith. Ash and extractive values, micro and macro elements and nutritive factors were estimated in the present study. The presence of alkaloids, saponins and triterpenoids were observed in preliminary phytochemical screening. High-performance thin layer chromatographic analysis yielded different bands and also indicated the presence of oleanolic acid. The studied parameters for A. coynei stem will be useful for identification and authentication of the plant material.

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