Abstract

ANALYTICAL STUDY OF VACHA (ACORUS CALAMUS LINN.)

Dr. Srishti Kharkwal*, Dr. D. C. Singh, Dr. Hemant Kharkwal, Dr. Seema Joshi

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Abstract

Background: Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn.) is used for various conditions of ailments in traditional system of medicine since ancient times. Vacha is mentioned as one of the Rasayana dravya and its regular intake is said to make one endowed with sharp intellect and sweet voice. Acharya Charaka has mentioned Vacha in Lekhaniya, Arshoghna, Triptighna, Asthapnopaga, Shirovirechana, Sanjnasthapana, Sitaprashamana Mahakashaya which indicates its therapeutic importance in Ayurveda. Objective: This study is designed to establish the various pharmacognostical, physiochemical and phytochemical standards of Acorus calamus Linn. for its correct identification and authentication. Material and Methods: Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn.) was collected from their natural habitat and botanically identified. Oraganoleptic study, transverse sections and powder microscopy of the rhizomes of the drug were carried out. The other investigations included determination of various standardization parameters such as physiochemical, phytochemical analysis of the drug. Results: Morphological features, organoleptic characters and microscopic features of the Acorus calamus Linn. were analysed. All physiochemical parameters of the plant including foreign matter, moisture content, total ash value, acid insoluble ash value, water soluble ash value, water-soluble extract content, alcohol-soluble extract content and pH were assessed and found to be within permissible limits. The following Rf values were found in the sample of Vacha (Acorus calamus Linn.):Rf Value- 254nm-0.02, 0.85, 366nm-0.02, 0.19, 0.43, 0.62, 0.81, 0.85, After Derivatized 366nm- 0.02, 0.19, 0.24, 0.28, 0.39, 0.43, 0.71, 0.81, 0.85, 0.97 Conclusion: Pharmacognostical, physiochemical and phytochemical profiling will be helpful in identification and authentication of Acorus calamus Linn. and the parameters which are established from this study may be helpful in standardization of Vacha (Acorus calamus) Linn.

Keywords: Vacha, Acorus calamus Linn., Physiochemical, phytochemical, microscopical etc.