ABSTRACT
Sunishannaka (Marsilea quadrifolia Linn) is a known pteridophytic creeping aquatic fern, commonly known as European Water Clover belonging to the family Marsileaceae which is being used extensively since Samhita period. According to Acharya Vagbhata, it is included among Pathyaahara or Nityasevaniyaahara which itself shows its nutritional importance. Pteridophytes have considerable importance in traditional pharmacopoeias, whereas scientific studies on pharmacognosy of this group are scanty. Records of indigenous medicinal knowledge about pteridophytes need to be given top priority to aid the protection of such knowledge before they vanish from present day traditional healers. This work aims at understanding the organoleptic features and microscopic details of leaf, petiole and rhizome(stem) and root of Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. Even though the drug Sunishannaka (Marsilea quadrifolia Linn) is being used by traditional Vaidyas, but the detailed study regarding the microscopical aspects of the plant has not been documented in detail. So the present paper will definitely throw a light towards the microscopical characters of the plant which is much essential to provide a key towards identification of the plant source and to prevent any adulterations.
ABSTRACT
Asparagus racemosus Willd. (Shatavari) belonging to the family Asparagaceae is a drug well known since ages. It is regarded as the queen of herbs. Shatavari is not only a potent medicine but is also used as a vegetable in many parts of the world. The therapeutic applicability of the drug extends from aphrodisiac, galactogogue, diuretic, tonic, styptic, antibacterial, and antimycotic. Inthe Ayurvedic samhitas, there is repeated mentioning of the drug in the treatment aspects of Rakthapitta (bleeding disorders), Sthanyavardhaka (galactogogue), Rakshoghna of Vranitha and Soothika (antimicrobial activity), and in Mutrakrchracikitsa (urinary disorders). This work aims at understanding the organoleptic features, microscopic details and powder microscopy of the tuberous root powder of Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd.). Even though the drug Shatavari is well known and used widely, detailed studies regarding the microscopic characters and the powder microscopy has not been documented in detail covering the entire aspects. In the light of authentic Pharmacopoeial texts, the cell constituents of the sample has been analysed and the powder microscopy also revealed the presence of calcium oxalate crystals, pitted vessels, tracheids etc, which also affirms the genuineness of the source drug Shatavari. Yet another concern is with the widespread use of adulterants. Shweta musali (Chlorophytum borivilianum L.) is used instead of Shatavari at many places knowingly or unknowingly. Hence a thorough understanding of the genuine drug in terms of its microscopic as well as powder character is very much essential to prevent the adulteration as well as providing a key to the identification of plant source.
ABSTRACT
Asoka – Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde, is a medium sized evergreen tree growing in tropical regions. It has been used for various medicinal purposes from the time immemorial. Ample citations about its usage can be elicited from Veda’s, Puranas and Samhitas. Owing to extensive use, lack of cultivation and irrational collection practices it became an endangered drug. It’s one among the five endangered plants listed by NMPB. This scarcity of drug in the market eventually led to adulteration. It is one of the severely adulterated drug next to Bala – Sida species. Various pharmacognostical and phytochemical techniques are evolved from time to time to check the adulteration. Due to the sophisticated methodologies used by medicinal plant dealers, these methods fail to check adulteration. Pharmacognostical analysis of sample drug and its powder microscopy serves as an effective method to check adulteration. But it won’t serve fruitful when the drug gets adulterated with exhausted samples. In such cases, effective marker compounds of the drug need to be analysed. This can be achieved by analysing successive solvent extractives of test drug and by HPTLC analysis. Here an attempt has been done to analyse the successive solvent extraction and HPTLC of stem bark of Asoka – Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde. as an effective methodology to ensure the purity. The successive solvent extraction revealed 1.78%, 0.4%, 13.63% & 27.69% of extractives respectively in petroleum ether, cyclohexane, acetone and methyl alcohol. The qualitative analysis also showed significance difference in the steroids, alkaloids, phenols and flavonoids in each solvent. The results are promising and suggestive of considering these experiments as an effective method to ensure the quality and purity of drug sample.