Pharmacognosy of Alstonia bark drugs

Abstract

Pharmacognostic evaluation of the bark drug of Alstonia scholaris R.Br, (used in diseases of heart and blood, asthma, leucoderma, ulcers, tumors, dysentery, etc., containing the alkaloid echitamine) and others was carried out. Diagnostic features include irregular wrinkles iron grey to mouse grey outer surface, prominent whitish lenticels, alternate bands of sclereids confined to periderm, purple to dark purple U.V. fluorescence on surface, light violet fluorescence of powder, greenish yellow fluorescence of acidic aqueous extract. The bark is distinguished from the apparently similar bark of A. macrophylla Wall, by many organoleptic and microscopic characters.