Journal of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology 2 (2) 51-54 (2008) ISSN: 0973-4643 Original Article PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL

as “Kamarakh”) is considered as digestible, tonic strengthening, for bleeding piles and causing biliousness. The dried fruit is also used in fever; it is cooling and possesses antiscorbutic properties. It is considered as one of the best Indian cooling medicines. An attempt has been made to highlight this medicinal fruit through the pharmacognostic studies. The preliminary phytochemical analysis has also been performed on the powdered fruit. The presence of trichomes and large oval lysigenously formed cavities as seen in the transverse section of fruit were the distinguishing features and can be used as anatomical markers. During maturity stage the maximum increase in length and diameter was recorded and their external colour changes from green to golden yellow. The water-soluble and alcohol soluble extractive values decreased gradually with ripening of fruit. Preliminary phytochemical analysis indicated presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids. Key words: Averrhoa carambola L. fruit, pharmacognostic evaluation, preliminary phytochemical analysis