Pharmacognostic standardization and phytochemical characteristics of the roots of Astragalus grahamianus royle ex. benth

Astragalus grahamianus Royle ex. Benth (Fabaceae) belongs to genus Astragalus, which is one of the largest genera of vascular plants, with 2000–3000 taxa and more than 250 taxanomic sections. The current study deals with Pharmacognostic parameters of the roots of Astragalus grahamianus. The roots of Astragalus grahamianus were collected, shade dried and powdered and the powered root part of plant material was evaluated for Pharmacognostic parameters by standard methods. The hydroalcoholic extract was subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening for the presence of various Phytoconstituents. The current study displayed the microscopical characters, the preliminary phytochemical screening and the proximate analysis of the roots Astragalus grahamianus Royle ex. Benth. Data composed from such studies can be used as standard in the quality control of this plant as a herbal medicine for treatment of various diseases. This is the first report of its kind on the pharmacognostic studies of Astragalus grahamianus Royle ex. Benth and will serve as valuable source of information towards establishing pharmacognostic standards on identification, purity, quality and classification.