Asian Journal of Research in Chemistry

Ajay Kumar Meena ¹, Uttam Singh ², Arjun Singh ³, Sudeep Mishra ³, M. M. Rao ¹, M. M. Padhi ³, Ramesh Babu ³, A. Gaurav ²

Affiliations
1 National Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Research, Patiala- 147001, Punjab, IN
2 School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shobhit University, Meerut, UP, IN
3 Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), Janakpuri, Delhi-110058, IN

Abstract

Vitex negundo Linn (Five-leaved chaste tree), Hindi-Nirgundi, Sanskrit-Sindhuvara, Tamil and Malyalam-Vennochi, Telugu-Nalla vavili and Punjabi-Marwan (Family: Verbenaceae), is an important medicinal plant found throughout India. All parts of this plant especially the leaf and ischolar_main extracts are being used in various formulations in Ayurveda and Unani systems of medicine. Vitex negundo Linn is pungent, bitter and astringent in taste and according to Ayurveda , it alleviates vata and kapha doshas, but aggravates pitta dosha. It possesses light and dry attributes. Its leaves and seeds are widely used externally for rheumatism and inflammations of joints and also reported to have insecticidal properties. Internally, decoction of its leaves is taken as diuretic, expectorant, vermifuge, tonic and febrifuge. The chemical components of the essential oil of leaf isolated from the plant are used to treat colds and coughing spells. Vitex negundo Linn is used in Classical Ayurvedic Preparations like Nirgundi kalka, Nirgundi ghrta, Nirgundi kvatha, Vranasodhana taila, Visagarbha taila etc. The evaluation studies of Pharmacopoeial standards, phytochemical parameters suggested that the observed physiochemical parameters are of great value in quality control and formulation development of Vitex negundo Linn. Physicochemical parameters like preliminary characteristics, toxic heavy metals, and aflatoxin analysis were carried out. The study revealed that the results on different parameters of the crude drug will be useful in identification and control of adulterations.

Keywords

Ayurveda, Vitex negundo Linn, Toxic Metals, Aflatoxin and Quality Control.

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A. K. Meena ¹, M. M. Rao ¹, Kiran Sharma ², Ajay Yadav ², Uttam Singh ², Amit ¹

Affiliations
1 National Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Research, Patiala-147001, Punjab, IN
2 Shobhit University, Meerut, UP, IN

Abstract

The present communication attempts to evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz. Combretaceae family. Haritaki is semi-deciduous tree grows up to 24 meter in height. Terminalia Chebula is found throughout India chiefly in deciduous forests, on dry slopes up to 900m especially in Tamil Nadu, widely distributed through the greater parts of India, from Ravi eastwards to West Bengal and Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Deccan, West coast and Western Ghats. The plant is also reported in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Burma. Terminalia chebula is traditionally used in the formulation for anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, laxative, antiinflammatory, laxative, anti-fungal, cardiotonic, diuretic, hyperlipidemic activity. As there is no detailed standardisation work reported on fruit, the physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical constants, toxic heavy metals, pesticide residue, and aflatoxin analysis are carried out. The study revealed specific identities for the particular crude drug which will be useful in identification and control to adulterations of the raw drug.

Keywords

Extractive Values, Ayurvedic Drug, Toxic Metals, Physicochemical Studies.

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