Histological Differentiation of Swertia species: An Implication for Raw material Authentication to Avert Adulteration

Swertia chirayita (Roxb. ex Fleming) Karst., a critically valued species of the family Gentianaceae, is the principal source of the Ayurvedic drug “chirata” and is extensively utilized in traditional medicine systems due to antimalarial, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, and appetite-stimulant properties. However, increasing demand coupled with overharvesting, habitat degradation, and limited cultivation has rendered the species critically endangered, leading to its frequent adulteration with morphologically similar Swertia species. This study aimed to establish a robust histological framework to distinguish S. chirayita from common adulterants through comparative anatomical analysis. Key diagnostic features such as stomatal type, epidermal cell structure, and transverse sections of leaf and stem tissues were examined. The identified histological markers offer reliable, reproducible criteria for species authentication, particularly in fresh or partially processed samples, where morphological identification may be ambiguous. These findings contribute substantially to the development of standardized protocols for the authentication and quality assurance of S. chirayita, thereby supporting its safe and effective use in phytomedicines.