Pharmacognostical Standardisation of the Roots of Ziziphus oenoplia(L.)Mill.(Rhamnaceae)

Ziziphus oenoplia Linn., Mill, is a commonly occurring thorny shrub found to have many uses such as anthelmintic, antiseptic, hepatoprotective, stomachalgia, digestive etc. It is also used in ascaris infection and healing of wounds. The plant is reported to possess alkaloids, tannins and carbohydrates. Alkaloids have also been reported to posses many biological activities like anticancer, hepatoprotective, antihelmintic etc. Therefore, this plant offers much scope to investigators on different perspectives such as Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. The following studies highlight the botanical as well as phytochemical constituents, macroscopic, microscopic and preliminary studies of roots. These observations will help in the botanical identification and the standardization of drug in crude form and also to distinguish the drug from its adulterants. Hopefully, this little work will help to inform the people who are not aware of the plant Ziziphus oenoplia Linn., mill (Rhamnaceae) which has multi-farious beneficial properties for medicine, agriculture and husbandry.