Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: Ehretia microphylla Lamk. is a member of the Boraginaceae family and finds its use in the Siddha System of Medicine. Aim
of this study is to investigate the morphology, exo and endomorphic characters, powder analysis, preliminary phytochemical
analysis, pharmacopoeial standards such as physico-chemical parameter, TLC photo documentation and HPTLC finger print
of aerial parts. The results revealed the presence of an arc shaped collateral vascular bundles in the centre of the midrib and
discontinuous sclerenchyma fibres below the vascular bundle. The adaxial and abaxial epidermii are nearly identical in structure
but differ in their sizes. Presence of aerenchymatous spongy tissue, tanniniferous sacs and cluster crystals of calcium oxalate in
the mesophyll and 2 or 3 layered hypodermis and isolated strands of pericyclic fibres in the stem are characteristic features. The
powder showed abundant unicellular trichomes, foliar epidermal cells with anomocytic (ranunculaceous) stomata and druses of
calcium oxalate crystals which are diagnostic characters to identify the drug. HPTLC finger printing showed 16 peaks at 254 nm;
the TLC photo documentation showed four visible spots under 254 nm, 8 spots under 366 nm and 4 spots after derivatization.

Key words: Ehretia buxifolia, Carmona retusa, Kuruvichi poondu, Boraginaceae, microphyllone