Abstract
Suaeda acuminata (C.A. Meyer) Moquin-Tondon is an annual halophyte belonging to the family Chenopodiaceae. Other species of the genus Suaeda have been extensively used in traditional medicine. However, Suaeda acuminata is medicinally not well reviewed. There is no report available on pharmacognostical characterization of this plant. Therefore, present research was carried out to establish detailed pharmacognosy of Suaeda acuminata, which involves macroscopy, microscopy, physico-chemical parameters and qualitative phytochemical screening of leaf sample. Macroscopical characteristics (color of leaf sample before drying and character of leaf apex) could be served as diagnostic features. Preliminary phytochemical analysis showed the presence of various bioactive constituentsin Suaeda acuminata like anthraquinones, alkaloids, carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, saponins, phenolic compounds and terpenoids,whichcould be used against many diseases. Physico-chemical parameters revealed that in investigated plant species; methanol extractive values were found to be higher than chloroform. Current investigation will be contributed towards establishment of pharmacognostic standardization of Suaeda acuminata.
