Phyto-pharmacognostical study of Mocharasa (exudate of Shalmali)

Abstract

Shalmali (Bombax malabaricum DC.) is a very useful Ayurvedic herb. The exudates of Bombax malabarica is known as Mocharasa. It is a Reddish-brown colored extract that oozes out from the broken crevices of the trunk of the Shalmali tree. Medicinal uses of Mocharasa have been reported in many traditional system of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani medicine since ancient times. Acharya Charak and Asthanga Samgraha mentioned Mocharasa under Sandhaniya Mahakashaya while Acharya Sushruta mentioned Mocharasa under Priyangvadigana, which has property as Sandhaniya. In present study, all aspects about Mocharasa have been taken like name, geographical source, Macroscopic, Microscopic, Physicochemical, Phytochemical (Qualitative and Quantitative) and Chromatographic activities. The macroscopic features of the Mocharasa were observed under magnifying lens. The powder microscopy showed the presence of starch grain, calcium oxalate, and stone cells. The physicochemical properties such as foreign matter, moisture content, ph value, aqueous soluble extract, alcohol soluble extract, petroleum ether soluble extract, total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash values of stem were carried out. In phytochemical study powder of Mocharasa showed the presence of many important classes of phytoconstituents like carbohydrates, alkaloids, amino acid, protein, saponin, glycosides, phenolic compound, steroids and tannins. Estimation of carotene, total flavonoid content, steroidal content, vit C, vit D, calcium and saponin analysis were carried out for quantitative analysis.