Abstract

PHYSICO CHEMICAL AND PHYTO CHEMICAL STUDY ON DIFFERENT PARTS OF ASHOKA [SARACA ASOCA (ROXB.) DE WILDE.]

Soumya Saraswathi M.* and Subrahmanya Padyana

Abstract

The plant Ashoka (Saraca asoca Roxb.) is an endangered species in the flora which is very useful in different condition of the health of a mankind. Different source plants are used in the name of Ashoka in the rural area of Moodubidire. But, Saraca asoca Roxb is the authentic source plant for Ashoka. Different parts of Ashoka are also useful as medicine in various disorders. Hence, a preliminary survey work on ethno-medical uses of Ashoka was conducted at Moodubidire Talluk in Karnataka State. It was found that the various source plants such as Saraca asoca Roxb., Humboldtia brunois Wall., Xylia xylocarpa Roxb., Polyalthia longifolia Sonn. etc. were used in the name of Ashoka. But Saraca asoca Roxb. is very popular and authentic source of Ashoka. Different parts of Ashoka are beneficial in the management of various disorders in different forms. The bark of Ashoka is said to be useful in the management of menorrhagia, the flowers in gastritis & piles, leaves in acne vulgaris, intestinal worms and stem in the management of Skin diseases. The preliminary physico-chemical study, phytochemical study, ash analysis and estimation of various Phytoconstituents were conducted and dealt in the report. In the present study, Loss on drying is in normal range, which is from 5.30% to 7.75 % for different parts of Ashoka. The pH of the different parts of Ashoka is ranging from 5.25 to 6.40 being slightly acidic. The extractive value of aqueous extract of Ashoka Flower is high (27%) where as petroleum ether extract of tender leaf is very low (1.80%). Water soluble extractive value of S. asoca is found to be higher in comparison to alcohol soluble extractive value which denotes the possibilities of presence of higher amount of polar water soluble constituents in the flower of S. asoca. Percentage of total ash, acid insoluble ash and water soluble ash are in the permissible range.

Keywords: Ethno-medico-botanical study, Ashoka, Saraca asoca (Roxb.), Moodubidire, Physico-chemical study, Phytochemical study.