Abstract
Indigofera tinctoria (Linn.), a perennial shrub belongs to the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae) is well known in Indian system of medicines for its traditional uses. The present study was carried to find out the possible bioactive components in the leaves of this plant in ethanol extract by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and the therapeutic uses of each compound as per PASS and other database. The mass spectra of the extract found compounds that were matched with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST version 5.7.1) library database. The GC-MS study observed different peaks as per retention time and then those peaks were analysed determining presence of 26 phytochemical compounds. The qualitative phytochemical screening done by routine laboratory methods also indicated presence of these bioactive compound groups like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and phenols, saponins, glycosides and terpenoids. These 26 compounds are understood to have different therapeutic activities as per in-silico databases, e.g. 2-Acetylamino-3-hydroxy-propionoic acid (glutamic acid) - used as Anti-diarrheal, Antiviral, Antipyretic, Protein synthesis inhibitor, Antidiabetic, Non-steroidal, Anti-inflammatory agent, Antipsoriatic, Antioxidant, Antifungal, Antineoplastic (sarcoma), Antiparasitic, Antibiotic Aminoglycoside-like, Antiseborrheic, Anticataract, Antithyroid, Anticarcinogenic, Antileprosy, Hair growth stimulant, Lipoprotein lipase inhibitor, Dermatologic, Testosterone, Antituberculosic, Antirickettsial, Antianemic, etc. activities. Hence, Indigofera tinctoria is an excellent source of phytocompounds, which help to heal various diseases and health complications in human beings. The use of this plant in traditional methods for the treatment of such diseases appears scientifically relevant as per the therapeutic activity data of its bioactive compounds.
Highlights
Indigo plant is a common name given to any of a genus of perennial herbs/ shrubs that reflect indigo colour during post flowering
Various parts of this plant were reported in use for treatment of different types of diseases, especially of Indigo powder (The leaves were soaked in water and fermented to convert the glycoside indican present in the plant to the blue dye indigotin) being used in Indian traditional medicine for the treatment of removing worms in teeth and gums, sores on skin, urinary problems, mouth ulcers, hair rejuvenation, skin diseases and dog bite, etc
Preparation of extract using Soxhlet apparatus: 20g of dry leaves powder was placed in the body of soxhlet extractor. 250 ml of solvent-ethanol placed into round bottom flask of the soxhlet apparatus
Summary
Indigo plant is a common name given to any of a genus of perennial herbs/ shrubs that reflect indigo colour during post flowering. Various Asian species contain the glycoside indican, which can be oxidized to produce the dyestuff indigo. Indigofera tinctoria (Linn.) is one such prominent plant that was cultivated in India due to its high trading value and was known as blue gold and true indigo. Various parts of this plant were reported in use for treatment of different types of diseases, especially of Indigo powder (The leaves were soaked in water and fermented to convert the glycoside indican present in the plant to the blue dye indigotin) being used in Indian traditional medicine for the treatment of removing worms in teeth and gums, sores on skin, urinary problems, mouth ulcers, hair rejuvenation, skin diseases and dog bite, etc. The plant is described for having Rasa (=Taste): Katu and Tikta; Gunas (=Quality): Sara; Virya (=Active constituent): Ushna (driving force behind the therapeutic activity of the drug, which signifies potency of a medicinal plant/ drug); Vipaka (=Final outcome): Katu and Karma (=action): Kaphahara, Keshya, Vatahara
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