Abstract

PRELIMINARY PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF FRUIT OF APAMARGA (ACHYRANTHES ASPERA LINN.)

Dr. Mohammed Faisal* and Dr Niveditha Shetty

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Abstract

Introduction: Drug standardization is needed for identification, purity, safety, strength and effectiveness of drug. So, it becomes very important to perform the Preliminary Pharmacognostical and phytochemical analysis of the drug to conduct further experiments. Apamarga is a drug which is used since time immemorial for conditions like in Kandu, Vrana, Visha etc.[1] Fruit of Apamarga is used in the Atyagni condition.[2] It has got pharmacological actions like Diuretic, Spasmolytic, Hypoglycemic, Antimicrobial, Antibiotic, Antifungal, Anti-Implantation, Abortifacient, Hypotensive, Purgative.[3] Objective: To determine the Preliminary Pharmacognostical and phytochemical analysis of fruit of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn). Materials and method: Collection of fruits of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn) was done at its natural habitat of Udupi district and Pharmacognostical, phytochemical analysis was done according to standard methods. Result and Discussion: Macroscopical parameters showed One seeded, cylindrical, oblong in shape, utricle with truncate apex, 3mm in length and about 1.5mm in thickness, shiny brown, taste is mealy sweet. Odor was not characteristic. TS of fruit contained seed, having spool shaped perisperm loaded with starch grains, The Cotyledon was embedded with aleurone grains, fixed oil globules and vascular bundles. The foreign matter was nil in the crude drug. The total ash indicating total inorganic content was found to be 6.215 ± 0.01. Acid insoluble part of total ash, which indicates silica, was found to be 0.19 ± 0.01. Loss on drying indicating moisture and other volatile matter was determined to be 1.79 ± 0.01. Water soluble secondary metabolites was found to be 2.79 ± 0.01. Study has shown the presence of Alkaloid, Steroid, Carbohydrate, Tannin, Flavonoids, Coumarins and Quinone. Conclusion: Assessment of phytochemicals and physicochemical constant values of this study would be used as reference standards for the research scholars to further perform animal experiments and clinical trials.

Keywords: Macroscopy, Microscopy Apamarga, Analytical study.