Pharmacognostic and Phytochemical Investigation of Stevia rebaudiana

Stevia rebaudiana is the single sweetener which has antidiabetic property. The plant is also used for treatment of a number of ailments like hypertension and hyperlipidemia. The current study was therefore carried out to provide requisite pharmacognostic details about the plant. Pharmacognostic investigation of the fresh, powdered and anatomical sections of the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana was carried out to determine its morphological, anatomical, and phytochemical diagnostic features. Quantitative diagnostic characteristics, physicochemical properties and qualitative and quantitative phytochemical measures were established. The results of the study could be useful in setting some diagnostic indices for the identification and preparation of a monograph of the plant.