Quality assurance and authentication of herbal drug (Argyrolobium roseum and Viola stocksii) through comparative light and scanning electron microscopy.

The quality assurance and authentication of crude herbal drugs play important role in the effective therapeutic effect of herbal drug and their products. There are many reported problems in quality assurance of herbal crude drugs concerning to their correct identification. The present study was designed with the aim to document the authentication and quality assurance of the herbal crude drugs (Argyrolobium roseum and Viola stocksii) thorough light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The detailed foliar anatomical studies showed polygonal epidermal cells having anticlinal walls in Argyrolobium roseum while rounded epidermal cells were observed in Viola stocksii. The anomocytic stomata type was observed in Argrolobium roseum while actinocytic was noticed in Viola stocksii. The pollen of studied species appeared as tricolporate showing reticulate exine sculpturing in Argrolobium roseum while fine perforations were recorded in Viola stocksii. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity showed high flavonoid and phenol content in Argyrolobium roseum as compared with Viola stocksii. It was observed that Argyrolobium roseum was discriminated from the Viola stocksii based on the leaf and pollen micromorphological traits by using LM and SEM techniques. It was concluded that LM and SEM techniques were found useful for the quality assurance of botanicals and their authentication.

Ethnopharmacological evaluation and antioxidant activity of some important herbs used in traditional medicines.

OBJECTIVE: To document the indigenous knowledge and evaluate the antioxidant activity of medicinal herbs used for treatment of various diseases. METHODS: The ethnomedicinal data were collected through semi-structured interviews of local informants along with collection of herbarium specimens. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by using 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl radical scavenging assay. RESULTS: A total of 12 important medicinal herbs were evaluated for ethnomedicinal uses and antioxidant activity. Medicinal plant diversity showed that Solanaceae was the dominating family (3 spp.), followed by Asteraceae and Lamiaceae (both 2 spp.). Leaves (31% ) were most frequently used in preparation of traditional medicines, and the most recommended mode of preparation was powder (28% ). The antioxidant results revealed that the highest activity was found in Atropa acuminata and Crocus sativus. CONCLUSION: The results of this study proved that A. accuminata and C. sativus can be the excellent sources of antioxidant compounds. A sustainable use and conservation of the valuable natural resource greatly promote the development of functional food additives and cosmetics.