Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen Root.

Abstract

Manilkara zapota (L.) P. Royen (Family: Sapotaceae), commonly known as ‘Sapodilla’ is very popular in India with a long history of traditional and folklore medicinal uses. Traditionally, different parts of the plant are used in treating cough, cold, diarrhoea, hemorrhage ulcer and gonorrhoea. A variety of phytoconstituents like lignans, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids, terpenes, fatty acids, anthraquinone glycosides and aliphatic long-chain compounds have been isolated from the plant. The plant is reported to possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and insecticidal activities. The present study was carried out to investigate macroscopical, microscopical and physiochemical parameters of M. zapota. roots. Some of the diagnostic features of the roots were studied. All the parameters were studied according to WHO guidelines. The determination of these characters will help future researchers in phytochemical as well as pharmacological analysis of this species.