Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL IDENTIFICATION OF ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS WILLD. (ROOT) WITH THE HELP OF HPTLC METHOD

S. Selvarajan*, V. Gayathri Devi, Anitha John, J. Jeyakannan, D. Balakrishnan, N. Raaman

Abstract

Asparagus racemosus commonly known as Shatavari is used in traditional systems of medicine as a uterine tonic, as a galactogogue, in hyperacidity, and as a general health tonic. The present study provides a detailed pharmacognostic study based on its physicochemical, macroscopic, microscopic and chromatographic features. The physicochemical parameters such as loss on drying, solubility in different solvents, ash content, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, volatile oil, fibre content etc. were determined by standard methods. Anatomical features of the roots of Asparagus racemosus were determined. For this the sample was fixed in FAA, cast into paraffin blocks and sectioned with the help of Rotary Microtome. The stomata morphology, venation pattern and trichome distribution were studied. Microscopic descriptions of tissues were supplemented with micrographs wherever necessary. Photographs of different magnifications were taken with Nikon Labphot 2 Microscopic Unit. Powder microscopy was carried out using standard methods. HPTLC profile of the ethyl acetate plant extract was carried out in short UV, long UV and using vanillin-sulphuric acid as detection reagent. The Rf values of the spots developed were notedwhich is an important parameter for identification of plant materials. The pharmacognostical parameters along with the HPTLC profile may be utilized to identify the drug material and for laying down the pharmacopoeial standards.

Keywords: Asparagus racemosus , pharmacognostic study, microscopic features, physicochemical parameters, HPTLC profile