Microscopic and phytochemical analysis of Desmodium velutinum (willd) DC and Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC. Panchanga powder

Desmodium velutinum (Fabaceae) is one of the wild edible plants used traditionally to treat diarrhoea, haematuria, infertility and also externally used to treat scorpion bites. Though various parts of the plant have been used for therapeutic purpose, panchanga of the plant has not been studied for its Pharmacognostical and phytochemical characteristics in detail, following scientific parameters. Hence in the present study Desmodium velutinum whole plant has been studied for its pharmacognostical and phytochemical characters and compared with commonly used species Desmodium gangeticum.

Whole plant of Desmodim velutinum was collected from Paikmal, Odisha and Desmodium gangeticum was collected from Junagarh, Gujarat in the month of November 2019 following good collection practices and shade dried. Pharmacognostical study and analytical study were performed following standard pharmacopoeial procedures.

Whole plant (Panchanga) of former is sweetish and latter is bitter. Powder microscopy of Desmodium gangeticum showed presence of rhomboidal crystals and lignified annular and spiral vessels. Desmodium velutinum showed presence of prismatic crystals and lignified pitted vessels. Physico-chemical analysis showed higher loss on drying in Desmodium gangeticum, and higher water soluble extractive values of Desmodium velutinum. Phytochemical estimation showed the presence of Proteins, tannins, and carbohydrates in both samples. HPTLC study showed similar Rf value 0.82 and 0.94 at 254 and 0.03 and 0.41 at 366nm.

Basing upon the analytical and microscopic similarities Desmodium velutinum may be considered as substitute of Desmodium gangeticum