Original Articles
Alireza Yazdinezhad, Faeze Naj
Abstract
Cratagus pontica (Rosaceae family) is a small tree with caducous foliage which is widely distributed throughout west and central area of Iran. Ethnomedically, The leaves of Crataegus pontica have been used in Iranian traditional medicine for treatment of various disease conditions without standardization. The present study deals with the pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies of leaves of the plant. The preliminary phytochemical studies indicate the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, cyanogenetics, phenolic compounds, saponins, phytosterols, tannins, fats and fixed oils. The important diagnostic features of the powder include anomocytic Stomata, cuticular striations, unicellular uniserriate trichome, and calcium oxalate crystals. The T.S of leaf shows the presence of epidermis, parenchymatous cells, collateral vascular bundle and unicellular trichomes.