Pharmacognostical studies on Premna serratifolia Lin. (Verbenaceae)

Premna serratifolia Lin. (Verbenaceae) is an attractive evergreen tree of tropical pacific and tropical Asian region of Indian and Andaman coasts. The plant is known for its cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-arthritc and anti-tumour activities. The present paper highlights the physico-chemical evaluation and preliminary phytochemical and fluorescence analysis of stem-bark and stem wood. These observations would help in the standardizatin of the drug in crude form and to distinguish the plant Premna serratifolia Lin., from its related adulterants.