ABSTRACT:
Background: Trapa natans L., is annual aquatic plant generally kwon as Water caltrp, Water chest nut belonging to the Trapaceae or Lytraceae family. Trapa natans L is use for the treatment of wide no of diseases without proper standardization. Objective: To give the right pharmacognostical and photochemical information of the Trapanatan L leaves. In this study pharmacognostical investigation of the fresh leaves and powder drug were done to determine the macroscopical, microscopical, quantitative physicochemical and phytochemical property of the drugs. Method: Macroscopical, quantitative and qualitative microscopy, physicochemical evaluation, extractive value, florescence analysis and phytochemical analysis were done according to the WHO guideline. Result: Macroscopical analysis showed that, leaves are greenish to purplish color, rhomboidal shape; alternate, acute, margin is dentate, pinnate venation. Microscopic evaluation showed that leaf is dorsi ventral in nature, upper layer epidermis cells were covered with cuticle layer. Single layer of barrel shape cell were present bellow the upper epidermis layer. Trichomes are generally multicellular. Anomocytic stomata were observed in upper epidermis. From the experiment it was found that methanolic extract give the highest extractive value. Phytochemical analysis gives the evidence for the presence of carbohydrate, alkaloids, glycoside, steroids, flavonoids, tannin, and triterpenoids. Qualitative phytochemical analysis give the evidence for presence of high amount total phenolic content. Conclusion: Different pharmacognostical parameters assessed in this examination help to detection and standardization of Trapa natans L., leaves.