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In this article we will discuss about the procedure for examination of drug materials.
A. For Examination of Powder Drugs:
The colour, taste solubility and odour of the powder was examined at first. Then a small quantity was mounted in water or glycerine on a clean slide for microscopic examination. Sometimes, lactophenol can be used as mounted for clearing of darkness of powder by bit warming after mounting.
B. For Examination of Leaf Drugs:
1. Leaf cleaning technique for determination of palisade ratio and vein islet number determination :
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Pieces of leaf were cut from the apex, middle and basal part of leaf and then cleared by boiling once in water followed by 80-90% alcohol till the green colour disappeared. Alcohol is then decanted-off and a few drops of lactic acid added. Then warm the mixture for 5-10 minutes for final clearing.
Finally, mount the piece in lactic acid on slide for study of palisade ratio and vein islet number determination. For palisade ratio determination, trace the outlines of 4 eipdermal cells in surface view and then outline the total nos. of palisade cell in each such epidermal cells drawn.
Several such independent readings were taken for final computation i.e., mean number of palisade cells per epidermal cell. Similarly, for determination of vein islet numbers, the cleared leaf piece is examined under microscope using 5 x eye-piece. Then using stage micrometer and camera lucida, 1 sq mm area is drawn on paper.
Total number of vein islets were then traced within the square area. Finally, average number vein islets/sq mm area is determined by examining several leaf pieces collected from apex, middle and basal region.
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2. For determination of stomatal index, through leaf peeling or impression techniques
Leaf peeling or surface impression by using quickfix was used to get a thin surface film for determination of stomatal index.
In addition, the above-mentioned cleared leaf pieces can also be used for stomatal index study by using the formula
Stomatal index (SI) = (S x 100) / (E + S)
S = Stomatal number per field of observation
E = Epidermal cell number per field of observation
C. For Examination of Stem, Root or Rhizome Drugs:
Anatomical preparation can be made for examination of stem, root or rhizome drugs.
FEATURES OF SOME POWDER DRUGS AND STEPS FOR EXAMINATION
