PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MARKETED SAMPLE OF HERBAL NUTRACEUTICAL SUPPLEMENTS OF SHATAVARI (ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS)

ABSTRACT

Shatavari was called as "Queen of Herb". It improves female reproductive health including hormonal imbalance, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, polycystic ovarian syndrome, follicular growth, oocytes quality and infertility. Shatavari act as galactgogue and also as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immunomodulator for many infectious diseases. The present study was carried out to analyze the physicochemical and phytochemical properties of different forms of Shatavari supplement available in local markets. Three different forms of supplement such as tablet, capsule and powder were chosen by purposive sampling technique. Experimental research design was adopted for the study. Shatavari standard sample was found to have 5.29% of moisture content. The Total ash yield was 3.70%. The percentage of acid insoluble ash was found to be 2.39 and water soluble ash was 1.21%. The water extractives value (45.72%) was considerably higher than alcohol extractive (8.91%). Physicochemical analysis of Tablet, Capsule and Powder divulge the percentage of various parameters moreover similar to standard. The pH value reported that Shatavari was slightly acidic in nature. The phytochemical study revealed the presence of bioactive components like Saponins, Tannins and Glycosides in all forms of samples including standard. The present study reported that the formulation of different forms of Shatavari supplement contains several bioactive components which was essential to consider as an ideal Herbal Nutraceutical supplements. Hence Shatavari - An Herbal Nutraceutical supplement can be suggested to promote overall Health.