Physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the fruits of “Shivalingi� [Diplocyclos palmatus (Linn.) Jeffrey

Shanta T R,Sridhar B N,Kishore K R,Venkateshwarlu G,Shiddamallayya N,Giri S K,Ramarao V,Pavan Kumar S

doi:10.47552/ijam.v2i1.57

Abstract

Shivalingi (Diplocyclos palmatus Linn.) is a lesser heard medicinal plant of Ayurveda with the fruits having important use in the area of reproductive medicine (female infertility, aphrodisiac, tonic, leucorrhoea etc.,). The plant especially the fruits have immense folklore usage even today. It has been described in Ayurvedic classical texts like Rajanighantu and Nighantu ratnakara. So far no study reports are available on chemical analysis on the dried fruits of shivalingi. Hence, the present attempt was undertaken with an objective to investigate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies. The methodology of the study also involved Thin Layer chromatography and fluorescence parameters. The results of the analyses showed the presence of organic constituents like alkaloids, triterpinoids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and proteins in the dried fruit. This provides impetus to conduct advanced research on this fruit to uncover its vast medicinal potential.

Highlights

Shivalingi (Diplocyclos palmatus (Linn.), syn.Bryonia laciniosa) belongs to family Cucurbitaceae
The qualitative investigation tests useful for evaluation of crude drugs and were performed in the extracts and give an idea about the nature of chemical revealed the presence of alkaloids, constituents present in them
The chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extract of principal usage of the fruits has been in the the fruit were subjected to TLC studies

Summary

Introduction

Shivalingi (Diplocyclos palmatus (Linn.), syn.Bryonia laciniosa) belongs to family Cucurbitaceae. It is an annual scandent herb, a slender much branched tendril climber, from a thick permanent root stock, tendrils bifid; leaves simple, alternate, membranous, 10-15 cm long, green and scabrid above, paler and smooth beneath, 5 lobed, deeply cordate base, lobes oblong lanceolate, margins sinuate denticulate. Unisexual, males in small fascicles of 3-6, female flowers solitary or few; Fruits subsessile globose, smooth berry, brick-red when ripe with white vertical lines, seeds yellowish brown, similar to baccate, sub sessile, globose, smooth, bluish green, streaked with broad vertical lines (1). Resemble with that of Shivlinga (Phallus of Lord Shiva in Hindu mythology). The fruits of Diplocyclos palmatus are known as Lingatondikai in

Methods

Results

Conclusion