Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Evaluation on Leaves and Volatile Oil of Citrus Limon.(Linn.)

The large number of higher plant speices (angiosperms and gymnosperms) on this planet was estimated at different levels. The biological activity of compounds were screened by 6% only, and reported 15% have been evaluated phytochemically. Since advanced screening methods are available, these number will be change, but some differences will be there in the evaluating of plant species versus another plant. There are some broad starting points to selection and collecting the plant material of potential therapeutic uses. Detailed microscopical characters of the leaves showed the presence of secretory cells, crystals specifically under the upper epidermis,three layers of well defined palisade cells, spongy mesophyll, vascular bundles in the midrib region and calcium oxalate druses in the petiole. Quantitative microscopic parameters were studied which will help in the identity and purity of a plant. Preliminary phytochemical screening and quantitative estimation of phytoconstituents throws light on the type of secondary metabolites present in the plant and the quantification helps in determining the amount of certain type of secondary metabolities which may be responsible for the pharmacological activity. The preliminary phytochemical screening showed the presence of carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids, flavonoids, saponin, terpenoids, tannins, phytosterols, musilage and volatile oil