Question

The major pharmacognostic feature of Terminalia arjuna bark is the presence of .

• A. Resin ducts
• B. Abundant calcium oxalate crystals and sclereids
• C. Latex vessels
• D. Oil glands

Hint:

Microscopic features like sclereids and calcium oxalate crystals are important for bark identification.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Concept:
Terminalia arjuna bark is an important crude drug used traditionally for cardiac support. Pharmacognostic examination helps identify the genuine bark.

Step 1: Understanding bark identification.
Barks are identified by their macroscopical and microscopical characters such as cork, fibres, sclereids, crystals, and medullary rays.

Step 2: Diagnostic feature of Arjuna bark.
A major pharmacognostic feature of Terminalia arjuna bark is the presence of abundant calcium oxalate crystals and sclereids.

Step 3: Importance of sclereids and crystals.
Sclereids are thick-walled cells that provide mechanical strength. Calcium oxalate crystals are useful microscopic diagnostic markers.

Step 4: Checking other options.
Resin ducts are found in some resinous drugs.
Latex vessels are found in latex-yielding plants.
Oil glands are characteristic of volatile oil-containing drugs.
Arjuna bark is identified by calcium oxalate crystals and sclereids.

Step 5: Final answer.
Therefore, the correct answer is abundant calcium oxalate crystals and sclereids. \[ \boxed{\text{Abundant calcium oxalate crystals and sclereids}} \]