Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical investigation of aerial parts of Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standley

Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standley is a large pubescent, climbing or tailing herb with stout 5- angledstems and bifid tendrils belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. Various parts of Lagenaria siceraria(Mol.) Standley has traditional and folklore claims in the treatment of diabetes, obesity, cardiovasculardiseases, urolithiasis, adenopathy, cancer, hypercholesterolemia, dyskinesia, hepatosis, jaundice,diarrhoea, dysuria, fever, rheumatism, myalgia, ophthalmia, uterosis, scabies, ulcer. In the presentinvestigation, the detailed microscopic study of Lagenaria siceraria fruit and seed, have been carriedout. Physiochemical, phytochemical studies for the aerial parts have been carried out to lay down thestandards which could be useful in future experimental studies.