MICROSCOPICAL AUTHENTICATION OF SELECTED POWDERED PHYTOMEDICINES

*Kiran Negi and Ghazala Javed

ABSTRACT

Phytomedicine (plant derived drugs) express a vast array of biological activities and hence have been marketed around the globe for their claimed or expected health benefits; but their increasing demand has resulted in a proportionally increase of their accidental contamination or intentional, economically motivated adulteration especially when they are used in their powdered form. Microscopy is a rapid and cost effective tool to diagnose and authenticate the quality of any phytomedicne. The present study encompasses five powdered phytomedicines with high therapeutic value from diverse families like Malvaceae, Myricaceae, Boraginaceae, Violaceae and Lythraceae for detailed microscopical studies so as to contribute to raise public awareness for the extent of adulteration and to safeguard consumer safety against the challenges of globalization.

Keywords: Phytomedicine; powder; microscopy; authentication.