Gross anatomical study of

crude drugs
Senna
 DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCTION
ANDHRA PRADESH
Name : M.Vasu Babu
Designation : Lecturer in pharmacy
Branch : Pharmacy
Institute : GPW, Guntur
Year : I D.Pharm.
Subject : Pharmacognosy
Subject Code : Ph -103
Topic : Gross anatomical study of crude drugs
Duration : 50 minutes
Sub topic : Senna (1/8)
Teaching aids : PPT, Photographs
Gross anatomical study of crude drugs

Senna
 Objectives

On completion of this period you would be able to

understand :
• Biological source of Senna.

• Microscopical characters of Senna.

• Chemical constituents & uses

 Known to unknown
Q1. Identify the photograph.
A: It is senna

Q2. From which part of plant ,is it

obtained?
A: Leaf

Q3. How do you find out the

genuinity of this crude drug?
FIG : 1
A: Morphological / Histological
study.
 Senna
Biological source:

Dried leaf lets of Cassia aungustifolia (Indian)

Cassia acutifolia (Alexandrian)

Family:
Leguminosae
 FIG : 2

T.S of Senna shows 1. Lamina includes 1 to 6 parts

2. Mid rib includes 7 to 13 parts
Lamina: Isobilateral

1. Upper epidermis

2. Mesophyll

• Upper palisade
• Spongy parenchyma

• Lower palisade

3. Lower epidermis
FIG : 3
Lamina: (contd)

Upper epidermis:
• Single layered
• Polygonal
• Straight
• Anticlinical wall
• Few cells contain
mucilage
• Covered with
cuticle

FIG : 4
Lamina: (contd)
Mesophyll:
Upper palisade:
• Single layered
• Elongated
• Compactly arranged
• Narrow thin walled
parenchyma
• Continued over
mid rib region
FIG : 5
 Lamina: (contd)
Mesophyll:

Spongy parenchyma
• Thin walled
• Loosely arranged
• Large intracellular spaces
• Spheraphides present

FIG : 7
Lamina:
Mesophyll:
Lower palisade:

• Only in lamina
• Loosely arranged

• Wavy walls
• Cells are smaller
than upper palisade
FIG : 8
 Lamina:
Lower epidermis:

• Similar to upper
epidermis

FIG : 9
 Lamina:
Trichomes :
• Conical
• Unicellular
• Thick walled

FIG : 10
 Mid rib
• Palisade parenchyma

• Crystal sheath

• Sclerenchymatous sheath

• Vascular bundle :
xylem

phloem

• collenchyma
FIG : 11
 Midrib
Palisade parenchyma :
• Single layer

FIG : 12
Midrib
Crystal sheath :
• Parenchymatous layer

• Calcium oxalate
crystals present

• Present at dorsal and

Ventral side

FIG : 13
 Midrib
Vascular bundle :
Xylem :
• Lignified cells
• Present at ventral surface

Phloem :

• Non lignified cells

• Present at dorsal surface
FIG : 14
Midrib
Collenchyma :
• Multi layered

• Thick walled parenchyma

• cellulose present

• Present at ventral side

FIG : 15
Chemical constituents:

Anthraquinone glycosides

• Sennoside A

• Sennoside B

• Sennoside C

• Sennoside D
 Uses

• Irritant Purgative
 Summary

In this class we learnt about

• Anatomical study of Senna

• Chemical constituents & its

• Uses
 Quiz
Q1. Upper palisade cells are arranged
continuously in mid rib region.
A: Yes
/ NO

Q2. Where will be the Crystal sheath present?

a) Upper side of mid rib

b) Lower side of mid rib
c) Both the sides of mid rib
d) Not present
Q3. What type of glycosides present in Senna
a) Anthraquinone type
b) Cardiac glycosides
c) Saponin glycoside
d) Cynogenetic glycosides

Unicellular covering
Q4. Name the type of trichomes in senna _____________.

Sponge
Q5. ___________type of parenchyma present in between
lower and upper palisade cells .
 Frequently asked questions

1.Write the monograph of Senna

2.Explain the histological study of Senna.

3.Write the anatomical study of Senna.

4.Write the biological source, family, chemical constituents

and uses of Senna.
Thank u