Comparative Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Standardization of Euphorbia hirta L. and Euphorbia thymifolia L.

Abstract

The genus Euphorbia is unique, which covers highly reputed medicinal plants useful in various treatment of diseases like asthma, bronchitis, hay fever, cancer and inflammation. The present study includes comparative pharmacognostic and phytochemical standardization of aerial parts of two Euphorbia species i.e. E. hirta L. and E. thymifolia L. The comparisons of both species were carried out by various standardization parameters such as macroscopy, microscopy, powder study, leaf constant, physicochemical analysis, mineral content, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening and TLC study. The results of the present study showed various distinguished characters in two species which could serve as an indicator for authentification and identification of E. hirta and E. thymifolia based on their standardization parameters.