Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDY ON SHALPARNI (DESMODIUM GANGETICUM L. DC) MARKET SAMPLES

Verma Arun Kumar, Mishra H. S.*, Agarwal Ajay Kumar, Bedar S. S. and Yadav Amalesh

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Abstract

Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC, commonly known as Shalparni in Ayurveda is an important medicinal herb being used for therapeutic purposes. The root of Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC has been accepted as official drug by Ayurvedic Pharmacoepia of India. It has been discribed in Agryaprakaran as Vrisya sarvdosharanam. Till date maximum quantity of the crude drug is being procured from its natural habitat. Due to over exploitation of herb it has been entered the list of endangered plant species in various states of the country. Crude drug markets are important in supply chain of the drug in herbal drug industry. Present study has been an effort towards exploration of crude drug being sold in the name of Shalparni in major crude drug markets of northern India. The study includes market survey and pharmacognostical evaluation of crude drug samples procured from various crude drug markets along with comparative pharmacognostical evaluation of the market samples with reference sample collected from the field and pharmacoepial standards of the crude drug published in Ayurvedic Pharmacoepia of India. Aim: The aim of present study was to evaluate pharmacognostical standards of market samples of crude drug Shalparni. Methods: Comparative pharmacognostical evaluation of Macroscopic and microscopic, physicochemical, phytochemical and HPTLC characters of market samples of crude drug with reference sample and pharmacognostical standards published in API has been undertaken. Results: Results of the study demonstrate that cuttings of aerial parts of Desmodium gangeticum along with the roots are being sold in the crude drug markets. Conclusion: The present study is helpful to supplement the information with regard to standardization and identification of botanical sources of crude drug being sold in the crude drug markets.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Shalparni, Desmodium gangeticum, market samples, Pharmacognosy.