Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Roots of Nili (Indigofera Tinctoria L.)

Nili (Indigofera tinctoria L.) is a shrub belonging to family Fabaceae and its root used in various indigenous systems of medicine against several diseases such as arthritis, fever, cough and cold, intestinal worms, stomach disorder and spleen disease. Nili roots are also used in the preparation of several Ayurvedic formulations such as Nilibhringadi Taila, Mahapancagavya Ghrta, Arvindasava and Triphaladi. The present paper provides a detailed account of the pharmacognostical evaluation of Indigofera tinctoria L. roots. The study includes macro and microscopic characters, powder microscopic characteristics, HPTLC fingerprinting, preliminary phytochemical screening, physicochemical parameters. The information generated by this particulars study provides relevant pharmacognostical and physicochemical data needed for proper identification and authentication of Nili roots.