World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Mallya et al. SJIF Research

World Journal of Pharmaceutical Impact Factor 8.084

Volume 9, Issue 8, 1609-1618. Research Article ISSN 2277– 7105

ANATOMICAL AND CHEMICAL RECORDINGS OF VATAGHNI

(JUSTICIA GENDARUSSA BURM F.) HERB USED IN TRADITIONAL
PRACTICES

Thakur Bhavana1, Mallya Suma V.2*, Prabhu Suchitra3, Bhat Sudhakar4 and Shetty
Nivedita5

1
PG Scholar, 2Associate Professor, 5Assistant Professor, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara
College of Ayurveda, Kuthpady, Udupi 574118.
3,4
Research Officer, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Centere for Research in Ayurveda
and Allied Sciences, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka.

Article Received on
ABSTRACT
04 June 2020, About: Vataghni (Justicia gendarussa Burm F.) from Acanthaceae
Revised on 24 June 2020,
Accepted on 14 July 2020 family commonly known as Kala Adusa the aerial parts of which is
DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20208-18159 used by folklore practitioners in various diseases. Few consider this as
type of Nirgundi, and use in inflammatory conditions of joints.

*Corresponding Author
Materials and Methods: Matured leaves of Vataghni (Justicia
Dr. Mallya Suma V. gendarussa Burm F.) were collected macro-microscopic and
Associate Professor, phytochemical study conducted as per standard guidelines. Result:
Sri Dharmasthala
Simple leaf with entire to crenate margin and reticulate venation
Manjunatheshwara College
having sub-obtuse apex with acute base. In the midrib portion below
of Ayurveda, Kuthpady,
Udupi 574118.
the upper epidermis there were 2-4 layers of collenchymatous cells.
The ground tissue was mostly parenchymatous. Vascular bundle was
collateral type. Physicochemical standards were recorded. Phytochemical study shown the
presence of alkaloid, carbohydrate and tannins. Conclusion: Authentic macro-microscopic
and phytochemical records of a plant form evident data for further study.

INTRODUCTION
Vataghni (Justicia gendurussa Burm F.) is a small erect shrub from Acanthaceae family
commonly known as Kala Adusa the aerial parts of which is used by folklore practitioners in
various diseases.[1] The plant is harvested from wild as well as cultivated as hedge plant for
various medicinal uses and also because of its mosquito repellant activity.[2] Few lexicons

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Mallya et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

like Madanapala Nighantu, Raja Nighantu made references about this drug and described it
as a variety of Nirgundi ie Nilanirgundi(blue tinged).[3] Mainly leaves and young shots are
used in medicine, which are used as antispasmodic, febrifuge, antirheumatic.[4] The decoction
prepared out of whole plant is used to treat wound.[5] Beta sitosterol, d- glycoside are main
chemical constituents present in the drug.[6] It is believed to be native of China and is grown
widely across India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia. In India it is easily available in Western Ghats of
south India and used by folklore practitioners in treatment of joint pain, earache, colic pain in
children, asthma, hepatic injuries, etc.[7]

Herbal drug authentication and documentation of pharmacognostic and activity profile are
must to provide evidence in drug research. Hence with this background this particular task
was planned to record pharmacognostic standards of Vataghni (Justicia gendarussa Burm
F.).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Materials
Matured leaves of Vataghni (Justicia gendarussa Burm F.) were collected from Udupi
district, washed thoroughly, taxonomically named, using floras, sample deposited at SDM
center for Research in Ayurveda and Allied sciences (Voucher specimen No. 17032101).

Macroscopy
The morphological characters of leaves were observed by naked eye by following the
standard procedure. After that the sample of drug was documented using size indicating
rulers. The external features of the test samples were documented using Canon IXUS digital
camera. The macroscopic features were compared to local flora for authentication.[8]

Microscopy
Sample was preserved in fixative solution. The fixative used was FAA (Formalin-5ml +
Acetic acid-5ml + 70% Ethyl alcohol-90ml). The materials were left in FAA for more than 48
hours. The preserved specimens were cut into thin transverse section using a sharp blade and
the sections were stained with saffranine. The slides were also stained with iodine in
potassium iodide for detection of starch. Transverse sections were photographed using Zeiss
AXIO trinocular microscope attached with Zeiss AxioCam camera under bright field light.
Magnifications of the figures are indicated by the scale-bars.[9]

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Physicochemical study
Leaf sample shade dried, powdered properly and loss on drying at 105ºC, total Ash, acid
insoluble ash, water soluble ash, alcohol soluble extractive & water-soluble extractive were
carried out as per standard methodology.[10]

Phytochemical study
Alcoholic extract of leaf powder was screened for the presence of various phytochemical
constituents as per standard operative procedures and results recorded.[11]

RESULT
Macroscopic study
Shape of leaf was lanceolate or linear- lanceolate, 7-14cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, glabrous,
short- petioled, pale green beneath and dark violet green above, Mid-rib was entire to crenate
8 pairs of main nerves, mid rib and main nerve were prominent on the under surface. It had
reticulate venation with acute base, sub obtuse apex, leathery upper surface and smooth lower
surface. Taste was bitter astringent, without any characteristic odour. (Figure 1)

Figure 1: Macroscopy of Leaf Vataghni (Justicia gendarussa Burm F.)

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Microscopic study
Leaf exhibited dorsoventral symmetry. At Midrib region 4 to 5 outer layer of collenchyma
present. Lower midrib region show 4-5 layer of collenchymatous cells. Ground tissue show
large circular compact thin walled parenchymatous cells which contain starch grains. Lamina
had upper epidermis below which there are elongated columnar cells which were horizontally
oblong and cutically prominent. Upper epidermis was thick and prominent radially oblong or
squarish polygonal in outline. Cells contain narrow lumen. Abaxial epidermis was slightly
wider with thin wavy anticlinal walls. Stomata was present in it is Diacytic, 2 subsidiary cells
lying on the opposite side of the guard cells. Vascular bundle was shallow wide and thick.
Xylem was toward center and there were 15 parallel lines in xylem element with wide
parenchymatous spaces in between. The xylem element are narrow and thick walled with
wide lamina. Phloem was toward the periphery, thin layer of discontinuous compact cell and
mixed with parenchymatous cells. Mesophyll tissue had both palisade and spongy
parenchyma. The palisade cells were less compact in height and is cylindrical with dilated
upper part. The spongy parenchyma has cells with intercellular space. Trichome was funnel
shaped sessile glandular trichomes seated within epidermal cavity and is fixed to a wide cell
which is below the epidermal layer.(Figure 2)

Fig. 2a: T. S. of leaf.

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Col-collenchyma; Pa- parenchyma; Per – pericycle; Ph-phloem; SG – starch grains; UE –

upper epidermis; VB – vascular bundle; Xy – xylem.

Fig 2b: A portion enlarged.

Pa- parenchyma; Ph-phloem; UE – upper epidermis; Xy – xylem.

Fig. 2c: A portion of midrib.

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Col-collenchyma; Per – pericycle; Ph-phloem; Ve – vessels; VB – vascular bundle; Xy –

xylem.

Fig. 2d: Lamina.

LE-lower epidermis; Pal- palisade parenchyma; SP – spongy parenchyma; UE – upper

epidermis; ME – middle epidermis.

Fig. 2e: T.S. of Lamina enlarged.

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LE-lower epidermis; Pal- palisade parenchyma; SP – spongy parenchyma; UE – upper

epidermis; VB – vascular bundle.

Fig. 2f: Upper midrib.

Col-collenchyma; SG – starch grains; E- epidermis; Pa- parenchyma.

Fig. 2g: Lower midrib.

Col-collenchyma; GT – ground tissue; E- epidermis; Per – pericycle; Ph-phloem; Xy –
xylem.
Figure 2. Transverse section of Leaf Vataghni (Justicia gendarussa Burm F.

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Physico-chemical and phytochemical study

Results of physico-chemical standards have been displayed in Table 1. The result of phyto-
chemical test reveal leaf of Vataghni (Justicia gendarussa Burm F.) to have Alkaloid,
Carbohydrate and Tannin as primary phytochemical constituents (Table 2).

Table 1: Physico-chemical standards of Vataghni (Justicia gendarussa Burm F.)

Parameter Results n = 3 % w/w
Loss on drying 10.86± 0.005
Total Ash 13.90 ± 0.08
Acid Insoluble Ash 0.80 ± 0.005
Water soluble Ash 5.97±0.000
Alcohol soluble extractive value 4.34±0.01
Water soluble extractive value 28.83±0.005

Table 2: Preliminary phytochemical tests of Ethanolic extract of leaf Vataghni (Justicia

gendarussa Burm F.)
Test Inference
Alkaloid +
Steroid -
Carbohydrate +
Tannin +
Flavanoids -
Saponins -
Tri terpenoid -
Coumarins -
Phenol -
Carboxylic acid -
Resins -
Quinone -
Amino acids -
(+) –Present; (-)-Negative

DISCUSSION
Macro-microscopy is the tool for the authentication of crude drug.[12] The macroscopic study
showed the leaf as green with a smooth leathery texture, leaf margin was entire to crenate and
reticulate venation having sub-obtuse apex with acute base. Its leaf was tested under
microscope to see microscopical characters. In the midrib portion below the upper epidermis
there were 2-4 layers of collenchyma cells. The ground tissue was mostly parenchymatous.
Vascular bundle was collateral type; Xylem toward Centre and phloem toward periphery.
There was a layer of pericyclic fiber from outer to phloem. The collenchyma patch which was
2-4 layer was also evident above the lower epidermis in the midrib reason. Lamina had upper

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epidermis palisade cells which were elongated, columnar. The mesophyll tissue had both
palisade and spongy parenchyma, the spongy parenchyma had cells with intercellular space.

Physico-chemical constants of a drug reveal about its chemical nature, moisture content, ash
value, minerals if any etc.[13] Loss on drying suggest moisture content of the drug, which was
10.86%w/w. Total ash of the drug was 13.90 %w/w which suggest carbonaceous matter
content of the drug. 5.97 %w/w a less acid insoluble ash value denotes few minerals
associated with the drug. The drug dissolves equally in alcohol as well as water accordingly
the extractive values were; 4.34% w/w, 5.97% w/w respectively. Preliminary phytochemical
test will just indicative of secondary metabolite present in the test drug, further isolation
techniques will define particular group of compounds.[14] The test has shown the presence of
alkaloid, carbohydrate and tannins.

CONCLUSION
Justicia gendarussa Burm F. belonging to Acanthaceae family is a small bluish black tinged
shrub with diverse medicinal properties used in traditional system of medicine. Authentic
macro-microscopic records of a plant with medicinal properties help in future researches
along with its proper utility in therapeutics. Standard features of macro-microscopy and
phytochemical records published in this paper will help in this regard.

REFERENCES
1. Suresh Jet al; Phytochemical screening of Justicia gendrussa; Int J Pharmacon, Chinese
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3. Priyavat Shamra, Dravyaguna Vijnana, Varanasi. Chaukambha Bharati Academy, 1998;
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5. Kirtikar KR and Basu BD, Indian Medicinal plants Dehradun; International Book
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7. Anonymous. The wealth of India, A dictionary of Indian raw materials & industrial
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