Demonstration of Biological Standardization of Selected Herbal Extracts

Objective: To demonstrate biological standardization of selected herbal extracts using rapid and convenient bioassays. Methods Boswellia serrata alcoholic extract (resin), Emblica officinalis water extract (fruit) and Salacia oblonga 80%alcoholic extract (ischolar_main) were tested with reference to lipoxygenase inhibition, anti-oxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity respectively. Brine Shrimp lethality assay (BSLA) was used for standardization of Bacopa monnieri alcoholic extract (leaves). Piper longum extracts with varying concentration of piperine were also tested in BSLA. To evaluate the use of BSLA in detecting adulteration, samples of Alpinia galanga deliberately adulterated with Acorus calamus rhizomes were tested. Results : IC₅₀ limits were established for extracts of B.serrata, E.officinalis & S. oblanga. Limits of acceptance were also achieved for B. monnieri in terms of LC₅₀ values. BSLA was also capable of detecting the difference in Piper longum extracts, which were varying in Piperine content, the active constituent of Piper longum. BSLA was also sensitive to detect change in bioactivity of Alpinia galanga (rhizome) samples, which were deliberately adulterated with Acorus calamus rhizomes. Conclusion : The use of bioassays is suggested for effective quality control of herbal products.