Comparative Study of Essential Oil Found in Roots of Wild and Cultivated Drug Anantmool

Abstract

The aromatic Anantmool roots i.e. Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. (Indian Sarsaparilla) and its substitute Decalepis hamiltonii Wight & Arn. show hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, anti-oxidant, anti-venom, anti-pyretic, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcerogenic anti-ophidian, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties. These fragrant roots are used in the traditional system of medicines as a blood purifier. The essential oil rich roots are used for treating Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, leprosy, skin diseases, leucoderma, asthama, leucorrhoea, bronchitis, piles, paralysis, neurodegenerative disorders and etc. Essential oils (EO) of these drug restudied with respect to wild and cultivated sources for identification of their chemical constitution. From the GC-MS analysis of studied root EOs 16 compounds were identified in wild H. indicus roots including 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzaldehyde, which is important for pharmaceutical as well as food and flavour industry. However, in the EO from the cultivated H. indicus roots 17 compounds were found with 47.23 % of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzaldehyde. In substitute D. hamiltonii wild and cultivated roots EO, total 24 compounds were identified with major constituent being 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzaldehyde 48.81 % and 29.25 % in wild and cultivated respectively. Wild roots showed maximum amount of pharmaceutically active compound 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzaldehyde compared to that from the cultivated plants. The major active compound is found almost similar in both the plants therefore, instead of H. indicus, D. hamiltonii can be used for preparation of the drugs. Both the plants are rich in diverse aromatic compounds and are under dwindling stage in wild which need to be conserved and cultivated to treat dreaded disease like cancer and meet the demands of industry.