592-597Crocus is one of the highest priced plant materials on the earth and due to its high cost; it is frequently subjected to adulteration of various types. Owing to the importance of this precious commodity, present study on pharmacognostical analysis and chemical fingerprinting of Crocus sativus L. was undertaken. The stigmas of the plant were collected from two different geographical locations of the Himalayan regions having different ecological, climatic and geographical surroundings and evaluated for their specific characteristics. These samples were designated as sample S-1 and S-2. The organoleptic evaluation revealed a specific dark orange brown colour, characteristic odour and bitter taste of both the samples. Powder drug analysis of samples showed the presence of specific cellular structures, viz. abundant oil globules, helical to spiral xylem vessels, pollen grains, fiber and epidermal cells of style showing papillae structures. The preliminary phytochemical screening of samples revealed that sample S-1 was superior in terms of phytochemicals than the sample S-2. These samples were further evaluated by detailed chemical fingerprinting using HPTLC. Chemical fingerprinting showed the presence of 11 and 8 peaks in S-1 and S-2, respectively corresponding to the different phytochemicals and some peaks resembles the main constituents saffranol and crocin in both the samples. The pharmacognostic, physiochemical and phytochemical parameters evaluated in this study would be useful for identification of this highly prized and commonly adulterated plant used in various pharmaceutical and food preparations
