@article {1332, title = {Quality Standards of Athiyadhi Kashayam - A Polyherbal Classical Siddha Formulation with Potent Anti-Diabetic Ingredients}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {January 2025}, pages = {31-41}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {31}, abstract = {

Background: Diabetes mellitus is considered a major disease because it is a silent killer associated with many co-morbidities. The recent days{\textquoteright} changes in habits, lifestyle, food habits, stress, etc., have affected good health of people and hence they are seeking traditional medicines like Siddha which are time tested. Athiyadhi Kashayam (AK) is an important Siddha polyherbal formulation containing 5 barks Atthi (Ficus racemosa), Aavarai (Senna auriculata), Sarakkondrai (Cassia fistula), Naaval (Syzygium cumini) and Kadal azhinjil (Salacia oblonga). The compound formulation AK is a combination of antidiabetic ingredients due to which it is a good medicine for diabetes mellitus and co-morbidities. The current study is the first attempt to standardize the formulation as per pharmacopeial standards and to justify the formulation as a potent antidiabetic herbal drug. Materials and Methods: Pharmacognostic, physiochemical and HPTLC studies were carried out as per standard procedures mentioned in Pharmacopoeias. Literature on phytochemistry and pharmacology of each ingredient were compiled to justify the antidiabetic potential of the medicine. Results: Macroscopy, microscopy, powder microscopy, physiochemical analysis and HPTLC was matched with the characters of these ingredients as reported in pharmacopoeias. The earlier reports have revealed the potential phytochemicals in the ingredients revealing its possible benefits for diabetes and related comorbidities. Conclusion: Botanical and chemical standards for quality control of AK have been obtained following standard testing protocol which will give monographic data on identity and quality parameters of this unexplored Siddha medicine. The formula composition from the 5 ingredients with potential antidiabetic properties and managing other comorbidities makes this formula a potent medicine for antidiabetic applications.

}, keywords = {Madhu megam, Monograph, Non-communicable diseases, Quality of life, Standardization}, doi = {10.5530/pres.20251688}, author = {Meenakshi Chandrasekaran and Susikumar Sundharamoorthy and Sunil Kumar Koppala Narayana and Bharath Kumar Govindaraju} } @article {1221, title = {Macro-Microscopic and HPTLC Atlas of Argyreia sericea Dalzell}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {April 2024}, pages = {357-366}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {357}, abstract = {

Background: Argyreia sericea Dalzell (Convolvulaceae) is a densely hirsute stout climbing shrub found throughout the dry deciduous forests of India. A. sericea is morphologically related to Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Bojer and Argyreia involucrata C.B.Clarke which are used in traditional systems of medicine for treatment of various diseases. As related species look similar in dried form. Objectives: A macro-microscopic and HPTLC study was planned on whole plant parts of A. sericea to analyze key distinguishing characters. Materials and Methods: Standard pharmacopoeial procedures were employed to obtain all the results of the study. Results: Surface characters, odour and taste; transverse section of leaf, stem, root and stomata of epidermal cells, cluster crystal, trichomes, mesophyll tissue, laticiferous content, brownish content, fibres, starch grains, tracheids, fibres tracheids, pitted vessels with scalariform perforation along with pitted, spiral and annular thickening are the unique diagnostic characters observed. Fingerprint profile with unique Rf obtained by HPTLC will aid in correct identification of the species. Conclusion: The findings of the present study will be helpful in identification and differentiation from related species as whole drug or in powder from.

}, keywords = {Bidhara, Controversial drugs, Monograph, Pharmacognosy, Plant anatomy, Standardization.}, doi = {10.5530/pres.16.2.45}, author = {Susikumar Sundharamoorthy and Sunil Kumar Koppala Narayana and Murugammal Shanmugam and Shakila Ramachandran and Elankani Poovan and Dayanand Reddy Gaddam and Ganesan Rethinam} } @article {1277, title = {Pharmacognostic Identification of Adulterated Marketed Samples of Maranta arundinacea L. Starch: A Case Study}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {June 2024}, pages = {662-670}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {662}, abstract = {

Introduction: Maranta arundinacea L. (arrowroot) starch is readily available in the market owing to its soaring demand in the pharma and food industry. Despite its cost in extraction methods and minimal yield, it is marketed at cheaper rates. The unclear picture of its authenticity, quality and the high chances of adulteration are still unexplored. This case study is planned to identify and authenticate genuine and adulterated samples of Maranta Starch (MS) procured from various vendors in comparison with a Botanical Reference Standard (BRS) and In-House preparation (IH). Materials and Methods: The BRS, IH and nine commercial samples (labeled as MS 1 to 9) were subjected to a systematic approach of powder microscopy, preliminary physiochemical assays and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Results: On gross examination, the texture, color, odor and taste of samples showed minute differences, however, the powder microscopy and iodine test demonstrated significant differences. The samples which reported more deviation were tested and confirmed for the presence of inorganic matter through an ash test. This was further studied for XRD analysis, which reported major adulterants in the samples like dolomite (CaMg (CO3)2), cordierite (Al4Mg2Si5O18), quartz (SiO2) and Zinc Sulphide (ZnS). Conclusion: This case study reveals the extensive adulteration of marketed MS in the South Indian market, particularly Chennai.

}, keywords = {Herbal drug analysis, kukai niru, Siddha drug, X-ray diffraction}, doi = {10.5530/pres.16.3.77}, author = {Brindha Sundaramoorthy and Vinayak Soman and Sunil Kumar Koppala Narayana and Murugammal Shanmugam and Rajesh Allu and Shree Devi Munusamy Sampangiramalu and Susikumar Sundharamoorthy and Shakila Ramachandran and Elankani Poovan} } @article {1199, title = {Chemical Characterization of Two Botanicals from Genus Alternanthera - A. brasiliana (L.) Kuntze and A. paronychioides A. St.-Hil}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {16}, year = {2023}, month = {December 2023}, pages = {42-50}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {42}, abstract = {

Background: Traditional medicine has become part and parcel of the present era for the maintaining and preventing of ailments. Alternanthera brasiliana and Alternanthera paronychioides (Amaranthaceae) are widely used in traditional medicine. Ab is widely familiar as penicillin in Brazil. Ap is known to treat gout, hyperuricemia, rheumatic arthritis, nephritis etc. as folk medicine. The present study aims to compare standardization profiles for A. brasiliana and A. paronychioides. Materials and Methods: Sample Ab and Ap were collected and authenticated. Authenticated samples were subjected to powder microscopy, physico-chemical, phytochemical, HPTLC and HPLC fingerprint and PXRD analysis. Results: Powder microscopic investigations revealed the characteristic features for identification. Physico-chemical investigation revealed the slightly acidic nature of both plants. The phytochemical test showed the existence of phenol, terpenoids and steroids as major secondary metabolites in both species. Photo documentation, fingerprints and spectral comparison by HPTLC and fingerprints by HPLC validate the existence of similar compounds in both Ab and Ap. PXRD analysis revealed the variance of elements present in both species. Conclusion: Comparative physico-chemical, phytochemical and HPLC, HPTLC, and P-XRD instrumental analysis of A. brasiliana and A. paronychioides provides distinct features for identification.

}, keywords = {Amaranthaceae, chromatographic fingerprinting, Comparative standardization, HPLC, HPTLC, PXRD.}, doi = {10.5530/pres.16.1.6}, author = {Achintya Kumar Mandal and Rajesh Allu and Rajesh Chandran and Divya Kallingil Gopi and Sunil Kumar Koppala Narayana and Radha Prakasam and Shakila Ramachandran} } @article {1120, title = {Macro-microscopy and HPTLC Atlas of Heartwood of Erythroxylum monogynum Roxb. (Indian Bastard Sandalwood)}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {December 2022}, pages = {176-183}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {176}, abstract = {

Background: Erythroxylum monogynum Roxb. (Fam. Erythroxylaceae) is a tree growing up to 9 m in dry evergreen to deciduous forests, distributed in South India mainly on the Deccan plateau, up to 3000 ft. The wood oil possesses characteristic pleasant odour and a pungent taste, hence adulterated with sandalwood oil in perfumery. Traditionally wood oil is used for webbing eczema; bark and wood used for stomach ailments, as a stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, for dyspepsia and also for continuous fever. E. monogynum is used as adulterant in the herbal drug market for the heartwood of sandal on account of their morphological and organoleptic resemblances. Objectives: A systematic pharmacognostical study of dried stem heartwood of E. monogynum has been executed to identify the microscopical and phytochemical features. Materials and Methods: Morphology, anatomy, powder microscopy and TLC/HPTLC studies were carried out by standard Pharmacopoeial protocols. Results: Surface characters, odour, taste, arrangement of xylem elements in TS, TLS, RLS, fibres, tailed pitted vessels, tyloses, xylem rays, axial parenchyma with brownish content, tracheids, fibre tracheids, prismatic crystal, crystal fibre and oil globules were the unique diagnostic characters observed. HPTLC showed 5, 6 and 11 bands under 254 nm, 366 nm and white light (post derivatisation with vanillin-sulphuric acid) respectively. The denistogram showed 12, 10 and 13 peaks at UV 254 nm, 366 nm and 520 nm after derivatisation. Conclusion: The findings of the present study will be helpful in identification of this raw drug as a whole or as a powder.

}, keywords = {Devadaru, Market adulterant, Pharmacognosy, Red cedar, Sandalwood, Wood anatomy}, doi = {10.5530/097484900201}, author = {Susikumar Sundharamoorthy and Sunil Kumar Koppala Narayana and Madhavaraj Vellaiyan and Shakila Ramachandran and Sekar Thangavel and Ilavarasan Raju} } @article {364, title = {Botanical and Chemical Fingerprinting of Medicinal Roots of Justicia gendarussa Burm f.}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {April 2017}, pages = {208-214}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {208}, abstract = {

Background: Justicia gendarussa Burm f. of family Acanthaceae is medicinally important herb used in the treatment of inflammatory disorders, asthma, hepatic injuries, pathogenic infection and also shows antiproliferative activity against various cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: Pharmacognostical evaluation (macro-microscopy, physicochemical analysis and preliminary phytochemical analysis), high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) fingerprinting and chemical profiling by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) of dried roots of J. gendarussa were done according to quality standard procedures. Results: Microscopic analysis revealed the compact arrangement of cells in cork region and thin-walled cortex beneath epidermis. Parenchymatous cells with xylem vessel were observed in the roots of J. gendarussa. Physicochemical studies revealed loss on drying (10.474\%), total ash (2.990\%), acid-insoluble ash (0.099\%), water-soluble ash (1.528\%), alcohol-soluble extractive value (0.564\%) and water-soluble extractive value (4.11\%) of the raw drug. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract of J. gendarussa showed the presence of alkaloid, steroid, flavonoid, phenol, carbohydrate, saponin and quinone. Rf, color of the spots and densitometric scan were recorded by HPTLC fingerprinting using toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (5.0:4.0:1.0). On photodocumentation, six spots were visualized under 254 nm, nine spots under 360 nm and six spots at 620 nm. Identification of components in ethanolic extract of J. gendarussa was done by GC-MS. GC-MS results in the presence of oleic acid, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid and estra-1, 3,5 (10)-trein-17-β-ol in ethanolic extract of J. gendarussa. Conclusion: These specific identities will be useful in identification and authentication of the raw drug in dried form.

}, keywords = {Gas chromatography-mass specrtometry analysis, High-performance thin layer chromatography fingerprinting, Justicia gendarussa, Pharmacognostic, Quality control}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.204643}, author = {Deepa Yadav and Mohd Salim Reshi and Chhavi Uthra and Sadhana Shrivastava and Nalini Srivastava and Sunil Kumar Koppala Narayana and Sangeeta Shukla} }