Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL EVALUATION OF CURCUMA AMADA ROXB

Mariat George*, S. John Britto, M. ThamacinArulappan, and Dessy V.J

Abstract

Curcuma amada, (Zingiberaceae) is commonly known as ‘ambahaldi’. Its rhizomes are made in to paste and used for bruises and skin diseases. A rhizome possesses bioactive components like curcuminoids which are responsible for anti-inflammatory properties; wound healing, hypoglycemia, anticoagulant and antimicrobial activities. The pharmacognostic study shown that leaves have trichome with oil cavities, rhizome also has starch grains and spiral, pitted and scalariform xylary elements. Phytoconstituents present in rhizome are mainly mucilage, lignin, starch, alkaloids, tannins, calcium oxalate crystals and saponins. Pharmacognostic studies of curcuma species confirm the traditional uses as medicine and biologically validate them, besides offering evidences to its transparency to reduce adulteration of drugs. The present study will be distinguish adulterants. Such study establishes standards on recognition, purity, quality and classification of plants, which are gaining significance in plant drug research.

Keywords: Pharmacognostic, histochemical, physico-chemical, ash values.