Pharmacognostic Studies on Methanolic Extract of Leaves of Vitex negundo Linn

Vitex negundo Linn (verbenaceae), known as Nirgundi is important medicinal plant with variety of phytoconstituents having significant pharmacological activities. It has antiinflammatory, analgesic, anti-histaminic, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, hepatoprotective, antiimplantation, laxative, larvicidal, anti-arthritic, anticonvulsant and effective against snake venom activity. Two compounds namely vitexin and negundoside are reported to have anticancer and hepatoprotective activity respectively. For safe and effective use of herbal drugs in a formulation, proper standardization of herbal drugs is necessary. So, in this research paper basic pharmacognostic studies on Vitex negundo leaf extract like physicochemical parameters- ash values and extractive values, Fluorescence analysis, phytochemical screening, TLC profile with different solvent systems, behavior with different reagents and metal analysis was done. The findings throw light on preliminary standardization of this important medicinal plant. Key