Abstract

Objectives: Melissa parviflora (family: Lamiaceae) has been traditionally used as a tranquillizer, relaxants, nervine and sleeping aids throughout the world. The plant is widely valued for its calming properties and has a tonic effect on the heart but no work has ever been carried out for standardizing this potential plant. The present study was designed to establish macroscopic and microscopic determinations, and physico-chemical parameters for Melissa parviflora stem. Methods: WHO recommended methods and other standard procedures were employed for the establishment of pharmacognostic and physico-chemical parameters. Results: TS of M. parviflora stem under the microscope showed an epidermal layer, cortex, continuous thin cylinder of vascular tissues, uniseriate medullary rays and wide pith. The xylem segments posses several wide annular vessels. Glandular sessile trichomes and multicellular covering trichomes were also appeared in the TS of stem. The powdered drug under the microscope showed fragments of parenchymatous tissue with intercellular spaces and strands of vascular bundles. Epidermis appeared double layered elongated cell wall in surface view with papilla present in between the cells. Abundant simple multicellular covering trichomes and occasionally sessile glandular trichomes were found. Abundant annular types of xylem vessels and prismatic calcium oxalate crystals were present in the powdered drug. Physico-chemical parameters help to identify authentic plant material and check adulteration. In the present study different ash values and extractive values were also determined. Conclusion: The findings of the present study could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of a monograph of M. parviflora.