Bixa orellana is an important medicinal plant of the family (Bixaceae). it is highly valued from time immemorial because of its vast medicinal properties. The present work deals with the pharmacognostical studies, physicochemical analysis & laxative activity of various extracts of B. orellana leaves .Laxative activity was checked by using Wister strain albino rats . All the crude extracts such as ethanol, ethyl acetate, methanol and petroleum ether were tested for laxative(200&400 mg/kg).Where agar-agar used as a standard drugs. The preliminary phytochemical screening showed that the different solvent extracts of B. orellana contains alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, glycoside, steroids and tannins. From the pharmacognostical studies and physicochemical analysis of leaves of B. orellana , it revealed a set of parameters which may enable to those who handle this plant to maintain its quality control, Adulteration and substitution relating to genuineness of drug. The extracts was found to produce significant laxative activity in dose dependant manner. The ethyl acetate extract was found to possess the most effective laxative activity.
