PHARMACOGNOSTIC STUDIES OF XANTHIUM STRUMARIUM LINN. I. ROOT

Summary

In the indigenous system of medicine in India all parts of the plant, Xanthium strumarium Linn., a common herbaceous annual, distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of both the hemisphere have been described to be efficacious in various ailments. The roots have also been reported to be used successfully in cancer therapy. The entire underground portion of the plant which is usually called the root and used as the drug comprises the transition region and the root proper. The macroscopic and microscopic characters of the transition region and the root proper have been described. Primary phloem fibres in bundle are present in the transition region; these are, however, absent in the root proper. The pith is quite large in the transition region; this is also present in the root proper, but absent in the thinner portions of the root. Both in the transition region and in the root proper the phellogen is developed from the subepidermal layers. Secretory cavities are formed schizogenously by the division and readjustment of the endodermal cells. Such secretory cavities are also present in the medullary rays in the phloem region in the transition region. The number of the secretory glands gradually decrease in number towards the distal end of the root. The phellogen in the root as well as in the transition zone is not developed by the pericycle but is developed by the division of the subepidermal cells.

Zusammenfassung

In der indischen Medizin wird Xanthium strumarium sehr vielseitig gebraucht. Die anatomischen Merkmale werden beschrieben.