Pharmacognostic evaluation and physico-chemical analysis of Lantana camara (Linn.) flowers

Pharmacognostic standardization plays a crucial role in identification of a particular plant and also helps to authenticate the plant under study and prevent it from adulteration and substitution. The plant Lantana camara Linn. (Family: Lamiaceae) is native to the tropical regions of the America, Africa and Asia. It is found in Kumaun and Garhwal resign of Uttarakhand, India. It is locally known as shrub Verbenas and Ghaneri. The plant has been used for various ailments in traditional systems of medicines. In the current investigation, pharmacognostic standardization and physico-chemical analysis of Lantana camara flowers has been attempted. All the parameters including, extractive values, ash values, loss on drying and determination of foreign organic matter were determined following the World Health Organization guidelines. Macroscopic characters like shape, size, color, odor, and surface characteristics along with inflorescence characteristics of flower of Lantana camara were noted. Powder microscopy showed useful diagnostic features like fibres, xylem vessels, pitted xylem vessels, glandular trichomes, covering trichomes, calcium oxalate crystals etc. The transverse section of peddicles of flower showed epidermis, covering trichomes, vascular cylinder, central medulla etc. Furthermore, various physico-chemical parameters were also estimated as per WHO guidelines. The data generated from the current study would be employed as supplement information in respect of identification parameters in the way of acceptability and quality control of this plant.