Pharmacognostical study of Ochrosia elliptica Labill. (Apocynaceae)

Abstract

Ochrosia elliptica Labill. is a small shrub belonging to family Apocynaceae and well-known as a promising anticancer agent. Botanical study of the plant was done for the young and old stems, stem bark, and leaves. Laticiferous tubes with yellowish brown content, isodiametric stone cells (sclereids), sclerenchyma (rod-like), and calcium oxalate clusters are the main diagnostic elements observed in this plant. Furthermore, DNA fingerprinting was done using rapid amplified (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) techniques with the identification of a total of 30 RAPD markers and 17 ISSR markers. Carbohydrates, sterols, catechol tannins, flavonoids, and alkaloids were present in all the organs under investigation. This study could be valuable for quality control of the plant.