PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS ON Catharanthus pusillus (Murray) G. Don.

Catharanthus pusillus (Murr.) G. Don (Family –Apocynaceae) is a rare herb commonly known as tiny periwinkle. It is widely used for the treatment of various diseases. The roots, leaves and latex of this plant are used to treat skin and liver diseases, leprosy, dysentery, worms, ulcers, tumor and earache. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate pharmacognostic studies for macro, micro characteristics and investigation of the root, stem, and leaves of Catharanthus pusillus. Present study reported that the leaf is dorsiventral. Leaf epidermis showed peculiar unicellular dentate and warty trichomes with Anomocytic and Anisocytic stomata. The stem showed multicellular trichomes and cortex with scattered patches of stone cells. Powder microscopy of leaf reveals that there is thin-walled polygonal epidermal cells, the presence of stomata and unicellular covering trichomes, essential oil globules in elongated cells of collenchyma. Pitted Vessels, lignified scleriform vessels, spiral vessels and phloem fibers were observed in the leaf powder. Calcium oxalate crystals are absent. These observations will be useful in establishing pharmacognostic standards on identification, purity, quality and classification of the plant.Phytochemicals from the whole plant of Catharanthus pusilusl were extracted using ethanol as solvent. Phytochemical analysis of whole plant extract showed the presence of primary and secondary metabolites viz.,carbohydrates, proteins, alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, flavonoids.