In the vedic lore, the drug Agnimantha occupied an important place and was
employed to ignite the agni (fire) while initiating yajna (ritual of sacrifice). In Ayurvedic literature,
this drug is indicated in diseases like Shotha, Vatavyadhi, Prameha, Sthoulya, Agnimandhya, Arshas
etc. It is also included in the group of Dashamula (group of ten drugs whose roots form the useful
part) which has wider applications in therapeutics. But different botanical source plants are
considered for Agnimantha in different regions of the country based on regional traditional practices.
Premna obtusifolia R.Br., Premna latifolia Roxb, Premna tomentosa Willd, Clerodendrum phlomidis
Linn, Clerodendrum inerme (L) Gaertn. belonging to family Verbenaceae are used as Agnimantha
are somesuch sources. As leaves are indicated for certain conditions, a proper thought should be
given for substituting root with its leaves. In the present study an attempt is made to carry out
the Pharmacognostical evaluation of leaves of four selected species viz., Premna obtusifolia R.Br.,
Premna latifolia Roxb, Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn, Clerodendrum inerme (L) Gaertn. which
showed the presence of stomata, crystals, warty trichomes, epidermal cells etc. Pharmaceutical
analysis showed proteins, phenols and other compounds. The four source plants taken for the
study have shown more similarities pharmacognostically. Phytochemical evaluation showed the
presence of proteins and carbohydrates in all the source plants taken for the study.
Key words: Agnimantha, Pharmacognosy, Mesophyll, pharmaceutical.
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