PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION OF APIUM GRAVEOLENS LINN. AND TRACHYSPERMUM ROXBURGHIANUM (DC.) CRAIB.: THE DRUG "AJMODA" IN INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE.

Two species, namely, Apium graveolens Linn. and Trachyspermum roxburghianum (DC.) Craib., are being popularly known as 'Ajmoda' in India and 'celery' in english. both the species belong to the family Apiaceae. The plant specimens are mostly collected from wild sources by unskilled collectors on the basis of the local names, which leads to adulteration and substitution for genuine drugs. There is a chance of improper identification because of similar name. The seeds of these species are morphologically very similar and it is difficult to identify because of their smaller size. Therefore, this study aims to find out the detailed pharmacognostical evaluation to differentiate the seeds of the two species on the basis of microscopic characters, fluorescence analysis, physicochemical values and TLC fingerprint profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]