Atlas of Macro-microscopy of Savuripazham of Siddha - Fruit of Trichosanthes tricuspidata Lour.

Introduction: Trichosanthus tricuspidata Lour. is used in various traditional system of medicine all over the world. Though highly traded medicinal plant it is little explored material of medicinal importance. Savuri pazham is used in Siddha medicine for sinusitis, headache and body pain. The present study was taken up to evaluate the macro-microscopic characterization for the authentication of dried fruit rind of T. tricuspidata. Methods: Fruits were collected from Mettur, Tamil Nadu; fruits were cut into halves and dried under shade. The macroscopic and microscopic details including the powder were studied following standard pharmacopoeial procedures. Results: Macroscopically fruit is glabrous, smooth, ovoid to fusiform indehiscent berry with many ellipsoid to angular seeds. Microscopically, transverse section of the fruit pericarp showed epicarp, mesocarp with sclerids and parenchymatous cells which is traversed by vascular bundle and randomly distributed resin canal cells; seed showed outer teta, middle testa and inner testa followed by endosperm, pigment layer and cotyledon. Microscopy of powder of fruit pericarp showed the presence of thick walled polygonal cells of the epicarp; fragment of vascular bundle with spiral, annular and pitted vessels; group of polygonal to rounded sclereids of various sizes and shapes; powder of seed showed groups of elongated sclereids from outer testa; pitted sclereids of the mesotesta; thick walled cells of the endosperm with oil drops; and scattered simple starch grains. Conclusion: The atlas will be useful in the identification for standardization and quality control of fruit rind of T. tricuspidata.