Seasonal dynamics of Shatavarin-IV, a potential biomarker of Asparagus racemosus by HPTLC: Possible validation of the ancient Ayurvedic text.

174-181The medicinal property of Asparagus racemosus is primarily attributed to its constituent steroidal saponins, particularly the major component, shatavarin-IV. Thus, it can serve as a biomarker and its level can decide of the utility of the plant cultivar as a drug. Hence, a sensitive, reliable and quantitative High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) method has been established for quantification of shatavarin-IV in the methanolic extracts of the roots collected in both summer and rainy seasons. The extracts of the powders of dried roots were applied to silica gel 60 F254 aluminum-supported precoated TLC plates and developed with n-hexane: ethyl acetate: methanol, 80:10:10 (v/v), as the mobile phase. Shatavarin-IV was detected and quantified by densitometry at λ = 336 nm. The accuracy of the method was checked by conducting recovery studies at three different levels of shatavarin-IV. The average recovery was found to be 101% and 107% for summer and rainy seasons respectively. The shatavarin-IV contents, as estimated by the proposed method were 12.5 μg gm-1 and 10.9 μg gm-1 in summer and rainy roots respectively. The entire method was performed six times (n=6) to check the repeatability. The proposed HPTLC method for quantitative monitoring of shatavarin-IV in A. racemosus roots collected in different seasons strictly adhered to the validation issues laid down by the ICH guidelines. The method is reliable reproducible and highly precise and selective

Seasonal dynamics of Shatavarin-IV, a potential biomarker of Asparagus racemosus by HPTLC: Possible validation of the ancient Ayurvedic text.

The medicinal property of Asparagus racemosus is primarily attributed to its constituent steroidal saponins, particularly the major component, shatavarin-IV. Thus, it can serve as a biomarker and its level can decide of the utility of the plant cultivar as a drug. Hence, a sensitive, reliable and quantitative High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) method has been established for quantification of shatavarin-IV in the methanolic extracts of the roots collected in both summer and rainy seasons. The extracts of the powders of dried roots were applied to silica gel 60 F254 aluminum-supported precoated TLC plates and developed with n-hexane: ethyl acetate: methanol, 80:10:10 (v/v), as the mobile phase. Shatavarin-IV was detected and quantified by densitometry at λ = 336 nm. The accuracy of the method was checked by conducting recovery studies at three different levels of shatavarin-IV. The average recovery was found to be 101% and 107% for summer and rainy seasons respectively. The shatavarin-IV contents, as estimated by the proposed method were 12.5 μg gm-1 and 10.9 μg gm-1 in summer and rainy roots respectively. The entire method was performed six times (n=6) to check the repeatability. The proposed HPTLC method for quantitative monitoring of shatavarin-IV in A. racemosus roots collected in different seasons strictly adhered to the validation issues laid down by the ICH guidelines. The method is reliable reproducible and highly precise and selective

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical blueprint of Abroma augusta L. stem bark

Uses of Abroma augusta L. stem and root are mentioned in traditional texts where the presence of the alkaloid, betaine in these parts is known. The study was undertaken to generate a pharmacognostical and phytochemical blueprint of Abroma augusta stem bark and detection of the bioactive alkaloid, betaine in it. Authenticated plant materials were subjected to pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and phytochemical studies. HPTLC, HPLC, and FTIR were used for chemical fingerprinting of the plant materials. Diagnostic features of A. augusta stem bark such as organoleptic evaluation, powder microscopic characters, fluorescence profile with various reagents were established. Phytochemical screening of different solvent extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, saponins, tannins, phenolics, glycosides, but fewer terpenoids, flavonoids, and carbohydrates. This was rationalized by FTIR spectroscopy of the chloroform extract that gave maximum extractive yield. HPTLC and HPLC fingerprint profiling with marker identification was generated. The alkaloid, betaine was isolated and identified by mass spectrum. The botanical and chemical screening suggested that A. augusta stem bark may be a potential substitute for the root or stem of the plant. However, further, bio-evaluations are required to ascertain its possible clinical applications. The generated profile may serve as a reference document in future for identification and authentication of the plant material

Pharmacognostical and phytochemical blueprint of Abroma augusta L. stem bark

271-280Uses of Abroma augusta L. stem and root are mentioned in traditional texts where the presence of the alkaloid, betaine in these parts is known. The study was undertaken to generate a pharmacognostical and phytochemical blueprint of Abroma augusta stem bark and detection of the bioactive alkaloid, betaine in it. Authenticated plant materials were subjected to pharmacognostical, physicochemical, and phytochemical studies. HPTLC, HPLC, and FTIR were used for chemical fingerprinting of the plant materials. Diagnostic features of A. augusta stem bark such as organoleptic evaluation, powder microscopic characters, fluorescence profile with various reagents were established. Phytochemical screening of different solvent extracts showed the presence of alkaloids, steroids, saponins, tannins, phenolics, glycosides, but fewer terpenoids, flavonoids, and carbohydrates. This was rationalized by FTIR spectroscopy of the chloroform extract that gave maximum extractive yield. HPTLC and HPLC fingerprint profiling with marker identification was generated. The alkaloid, betaine was isolated and identified by mass spectrum. The botanical and chemical screening suggested that A. augusta stem bark may be a potential substitute for the root or stem of the plant. However, further, bio-evaluations are required to ascertain its possible clinical applications. The generated profile may serve as a reference document in future for identification and authentication of the plant material

Improvised storage of Cassia fistula L. fruit pod with special references to Ayurvedic principles and practices by traditional text: An analytical investigation

317-322Cassia fistula L. (Sanskrit: Aragvadha, family: Caesalpinaceae) is used as a mild laxative in traditional medicine. Ancient texts advocate specific storage of its matured and ripe fruits under a pit filled with sand or soil. The present study was designed to compare the physicochemical, organoleptic and other biochemical parameters of the fruit pulp, stored under usual and specific conditions as mentioned in ancient texts. The sample kept under a pit showed higher total phenolics, flavonoids and anthraquinone levels along with reduced total and reducing sugars. The increased antioxidant activity of the pit-stored sample due to higher total phenolics and flavonoids levels as revealed from the DPPH radical scavenging assay may enhance its medicinal attributes, justifying ancient claim of specific storage of the fruits

Role of <em>Amlavetasa</em> (<em>Garcinia</em> <em>pedunculata</em> Roxb. ex Buch.-Ham.), an <em>Ayurvedic</em> drug in E-ß Thalassaemia : A case study

598-601Thalassaemia has been recognized by the World Health Organization as an important inherited disorder which has an impact mainly on the populations of low income countries. The prevalence of variant haemoglobins varies considerably with geographic location and racial groups. Four hemoglobin variants, Hb S, Hb C, Hb E, and Hb D each affects millions worldwide and they represent a major public health problem in many areas of the world including South East Asia. However, in India, haemoglobin E-beta thalassemia is prevalent in Bengal and the North-eastern region, but relatively rare in the rest of the country. Genotype is responsible for almost one-half of all severe beta thalassemia worldwide characterized by marked clinical variability from asymptomatic anemia to a life-threatening disorder requiring regular blood transfusions from infancy life, iron chelation and management of secondary complications of iron overload. Ayurveda texts do not describe any disease similar to thalassemia. But considering the pathophysiology of disease in Ayurveda, it may be understood as a Beejadoshajanya Pandu. The following case study focuses on effect of Amlavetas as a new adjuvent treatment on an 8-year-old girl having Hb E- ß-thalassemia with several episodes of  blood transfusions and increased serum ferritin level ( 2514 ng/mL) whose  serum iron was marked down  to significant level  in due course of treatment. An effort was made with the hypothesis that Amlavetasa acts as an iron chelator in the management of β thalassemia (Hemoglobin E Disease) and improves the quality of life by increasing the gap of blood transfusion. Assessment was done on subjective and objective parameters after 6 months of treatment with follow up of two months

Improvised storage of Cassia fistula L. fruit pod with special references to Ayurvedic principles and practices by traditional text: An analytical investigation

Cassia fistula L. (Sanskrit: Aragvadha, family: Caesalpinaceae) is used as a mild laxative in traditional medicine. Ancient texts advocate specific storage of its matured and ripe fruits under a pit filled with sand or soil. The present study was designed to compare the physicochemical, organoleptic and other biochemical parameters of the fruits pulp, stored under usual and specific conditions as mentioned in ancient texts. The sample kept under pit showed higher total phenolics, flavonoids and anthraquinones levels along with reduced total and reducing sugars. The increased antioxidant activity of the pit-stored sample due to higher total phenolics and flavonoids levels as revealed from the DPPH• radical scavenging assay may enhance its medicinal attributes, justifying ancient claim of specific storage of the fruits