In this document, we have tried to elaborate some general characteristics of family Rutaceae along side its medicinal importances.

1. RUTACEAE FAMILY
Presented By :-
1. Arun Kumar Shah
2.Alisha Chhetri
(B.Pharm-1st year)
(Citrus Family)

2. Scienti
fi
c Classi
fi
cation
Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Phanerogams
Class: Magnoliposida
Order : Sapindales
Family: Rutaceae
Introduction
In this comprehensive study, we delve into the medicinal
signi
fi
cance of the Rutaceae family, a group of plants known for
their therapeutic properties. By exploring their unique chemical
compounds and historical uses, we uncover the potential health
bene
fi
ts that these plants have to offer. The Rutaceae family
consists of approximately 160 genera and 2,070 species.
Distribution
These plants are commonly found in tropical and subtropical
regions across the globe.

3. • Habit
Mostly perennial trees, some shrubs.

4. Fibrous tap root.
Roots

5. Woody; Spiny; Cylindrical.
Stem:-
Woody Stem
Spiny Stem
Cylindrical Stem

6. Petiolate; Leave alternate
or opposite; simple or
compound: exstipulate;
reticulate venation.
Leaves:-

7. Terminal or axillary cymes or panicle.
In
fl
orescence
1.Panicle:- loose branching cluster of flowers, as in Oats
Terminal

8. •Pedicellate; bracteate or ebracteate; actinomorphic; Regular;
Complete; hermaphrodite(bisexual); hypogynous.
•A nector Secreting gland present below gynoecium.
Flower:-
Actinomorphic
(Symmetrical through any axis))
Hypogynous Flower

9. 4 or 5 Sepals present : free or united; imbricate; green
Calyx:-

10. • 4 or 5 Petals are present; free; imbricate
Corolla:-

11. • Twice the number of petals or sometimes
numerous; free or polyadelphous; anther basi
fi
ed.
Androecium:-

12. • 4 or 5 or sometimes more; syncarpous; compound
ovary; superior ovary; axile placentation
Gynoecium:-

13. •Berry or Drupe.
Fruits
Berry Drupe

14. •Non-endospermic seed.
Seed

15. Floral Diagram:-
Floral Formula:-

16. They possess unique botanical characteristics, including
compound leaves, glandular dots or oil cells, and aromatic
properties. Understanding their distribution and physical
attributes is essential in harnessing the medicinal potential of
the Rutaceae family.
Diagnostic Characters
Citrus Oil Gland (microscopic View)

17. Medicinal Plants in Rutaceae Family
The Rutaceae family houses a rich array of medicinal plants. These plants
have been traditionally used for their healing properties, treating minor
illness such as digestive disorders, respiratory conditions, skin diseases,
and more. By studying the speci
fi
c chemical compounds present in citrus
plants, we can unlock their full potential and develop new therapeutic
solutions for various diseases and conditions.Some of the important
medicinal plants we use in our day to day life which are popular for their
therapeutic properties are:-

18. C. limon, known since ancient times, has
nowadays been supported by numerous
scienti
fi
c studies. Uses for lemon juice, known
from traditional medicine, include treatment of
high blood pressure, Common cold and irregular
menstruation. Moreover, the essential oil of C.
limon is a known remedy for coughs.
Aside from being rich in vitamin C, which assists
in guarding o
ff
infections, the juice is traditionally
used to treat scurvy, sore throats, fevers,
rheumatism, high blood pressure, and chest
pain{as per Romanian traditional medicine}.
1. Citrus Limon (Kagatee)
Scurvy

19. Citrus aurantifolia (Jyameer):-
It is widely used because of it’s
antibacterial, anticancer, anti-diabetic,
anti-fungal, anti-hypertensive,
anti-inflammation, anti-lipidemia and
antioxidant properties; moreover it also
protects heart, liver, bone and urinary
diseases.
Lipidemia

20. Zanthoxylum armatum (Timur):-
•Fruits, seeds, and bark of timur are used as
aromatic tonic in dyspepsia(indigestion/upset
stomach) and fever.
•Fruits and seeds are bene
fi
cial in dental troubles,
thus used to prepare dental paste and powder.
•Tender twigs are used to brush teeth and used as
a remedy for toothache.
•The essential oil from fruits (known as Wartara
oil) has deodorant and antiseptic properties.

21. Citrus medica (Bimiro):-
The fresh shoots, leaves, fruits and seeds of bimiro
have all entered into a number of traditional
medicinal preparations for the treatment of asthma,
arthritis, headache, stomach-ache, intestinal
parasites and other psychological disturbances.

22. Citrus maxima (bhogate):-
• Leaves are used in Cholera, epilepsy & Cough.
• Fruits are nutritive, cardiotonic & Refrigerant.

23. Glandular Trichomes:-
Many Rutaceae species have glandular
trichomes, which are tiny hair-like structures on
the surface of leaves, stems, and sometimes
fruits. These trichomes often contain essential
oil glands that give the plants their
characteristic aromas. These glands produce
various aromatic compounds and secondary
metabolites. Non-Glandular
Trichome
Glandular Trichomes
Microscopic Features Of Citrus Plants

24. Oil Cells:-
Oil cells, also known as oil glands or oil ducts, are specialized structures found
within the leaves and other plant parts. They store and secrete essential oils
that contribute to the characteristic fragrance of Rutaceae plants. These oils
can have medicinal, aromatic, or
fl
avouring properties.
Fig:-High-speed microjets issue from bursting oil gland reservoirs of citrus fruit

25. Leaf Anatomy:-
Microscopic examination of Rutaceae leaves reveals speci
fi
c anatomical features.
Some common features include the presence of resin canals, palisade and spongy
mesophyll layers, and specialised cells that contribute to the synthesis and storage
of essential oils.

26. Secretory Cells:-
Certain cells within Rutaceae plants are responsible for producing and storing
essential oils, which are often used for various purposes such as
fl
avouring,
perfumes, or traditional medicine. These secretory cells can be observed under a
microscope.

27. Macroscopic Features Of Citrus Family
Many Rutaceae plants have compound leaves, which
consist of multiple lea
fl
ets attached to a common leaf
stalk or petiole. The arrangement and shape of these
compound leaves can vary among di
ff
erent species
within the family.
Compound Leaves

28. Aromatic Foliage:-
One of the most distinctive macroscopic features of
Rutaceae is their aromatic foliage. When you crush
or rub the leaves of many Rutaceae plants, you can
often detect a strong and pleasant fragrance. This
fragrance is due to the presence of essential oil
glands within the leaves.

29. Branching Patterns:-
The overall growth habit and branching patterns of Rutaceae plants can vary widely.
Some species exhibit a shrubby growth form, while others may develop into small
trees. The arrangement of branches and their angles can provide useful diagnostic
traits for identifying di
ff
erent species.

30. In summary, Rutaceae plants display a fascinating
array of microscopic features, such as glandular
trichomes and oil cells, as well as distinctive
macroscopic features like compound leaves, aromatic
foliage, various fruit types(as discussed earlier in
morphological characters) and branching patterns.
These characteristics contribute to the diversity and
identi
fi
cation of plants within the Rutaceae family.

31. Detailed study of a species of Rutaceae
1. Botanical Name:- Citrus limon
2. Common Name:- Lemon, Nimbu, kagatee

32. • Family:- Rutaceae
• Habitat:- Cultivated in California, West Indies, Italy, Spain, Australia
grown all over Nepal. Particularly in home garden and small sized
orchards.
• Habit:- A small thorny tree with pale greenish-yellow rough bark.

33. • Leaves:- Unifoliate with pellucid oil glands, Petioles
winged leaflets elliptic-oblong or elliptic-ovate, glabrous.

34. • Inflorescence:- Auxiliary, Solitary or 2-3 clustered.
• Flower:- White, Fragrant

35. Fruit:- Berries globose or ovoid, Bright yellow. Usually with a nipple-
shaped extremity, ring thick pilp acid.
Seeds:- Ellipsoid, White Glabrous.

36. • Flowering & Fruiting Time:- Through the year
• Chemical constituents:- Consists of volatile oil, Vitamin C, Some
amount of mucilage, Pectin & Calcium oxalate.

37. Uses:-
• Carminative,
• Stimulant,
• Oil is used for perfuming and flavoring agent,
• Extraction of pectin and volatile oil,,
• Has a rejuvenating effect on skin,
• Good ally for heavy digestion,
• Reduces abdominal blooding,
• Source of calcium,
• Prevents the appearance of spots on the skin & teeth,
• It can prevents cardiovascular disease