Pharmacognostic evaluation of whole plant of Sida spinosa linn. (Malvaceae)

Abstract

Pharmacognostic evaluation of whole plant of Sida spinosa Linn. was carried out to determine the macroscopical and microscopical characters, determination of leaf content, extractive value, fluorescence analysis, ash analysis, treatment with strong acid, phytochemical and elemental analysis. Highest extractive values were found with water and ethanol. The fluorescence analysis under visible light and under UV light by treatment with different chemical reagents showed different colour changes. The presences of alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, saponins were confirmed during preliminary phytochemical screening.