PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDY OF KUTAKI (PICRORHIZA KURROA ROYLE EX. BENTH)

Abstract

Kutaki has been used in the indigenous system of medicine since a long time. The authentic source of the drug is Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex. Benth belonging to the family Scrophulariaceae. The plant is native of North-West Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim. Kutaki is considered to be a valuable bitter tonic and a favorite remedy in bilious dyspepsia accompanied with fever. It is antipyretic, anthelmintic, and slightly laxative and is useful in asthma, blood troubles, burning sensation, piles, inflammations, ringworm. This study is designed for various pharmacognostical standards which can help in ensuring the purity, safety and efficacy of this valuable medicinal plant. Different methods like macroscopic, microscopic and physiochemical techniques were used for identification and standardization of intact and powdered drug of rhizome of Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex. Benth. Pharmacognostical study showed that rhizomes of P. kurroa are yellowish brown in colour with bitter taste. Transverse section showed cork, cork cambium, primary cortex and vascular tissue. Phloem, sieve cells and xylem vessels constitute the vascular tissue with pith cells in the centre. Lignin cells, metaderm, mucilage and proteins are found in powder microscopy of P. kurroa. Physiochemical analysis was found within range when compared with API. Different pharmacognostical features of P. kurroa revealed from this study will help in standardization of crude drug and preventing adulteration in the herbal raw drug market.