Physiochemical and phytochemical standardisation of khulanjan [rhizome of alpinia galanga l. willd.] - an important unani drug

ABSTRACT

Khulanjan, a rhizome of Alpinia galanga [L] Willd. [family; Zingiberaceae] is an important Unani drug found throughout India and has been recognized in many Traditional Systems of Medicine due to its medicinal and cosmetic values in various ailments and beauty enhancement. Keeping in view of the authentication and quality assurance of medicinal plants the physicochemical and phytochemical studies of Khulanjan, was conducted to meet Pharmacopoeia standard and quality control of Unani drugs before using them for health care. The physicochemical analysis includes parameters like ash values, bulk density, moisture content, loss on drying at 105°C, pH values and successive extractive values and fluorescence analysis of powder and extracts of test drug whereas the phytochemical analysis consists of thin layer chromatography, qualitative determination of different phytochemicals present in its rhizome. The data can be used as markers in the identification and standardization ol'Khulanjan that should be utilized in all the pharmaceutical industries as raw material?