Abstract
The increase in the use of herbal medicines has led to the implementation of more stern regulations in terms of quality variation and standardization. As medicinal plants are prone to quality variation acquired due to differences in geographical origin, collection, storage, and processing, it is essential to ensure the quality, efficacy, and biological activity of medicinal plants. This study aims to standardize the widely used fruit, i.e., Prunus domestica Linn., using evaluation techniques (microscopic, macroscopic, and physicochemical analyses), advanced instrumental (HPLC, HPTLC, and GC–MS for phytochemical, aflatoxins, pesticides, and heavy metals), biological, and toxicological techniques (microbial load and antioxidant activities). The results revealed a 6–8 cm fruit with smooth surface, delicious odor, and acidic taste (macroscopy), thin-walled epidermis devoid of cuticle and any kind of excrescences with the existence of xylem and phloem (microscopy), LOD (15.46 ± 2.24%), moisture content (13.27 ± 1.75%), the high extractive value of 24.71 ± 4.94% in water:methanol (1:1; v/v) and with ash values in the allowed limits (physicochemical properties), and the presence of numerous phytochemical classes such as alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, glycosides, saponins, etc. (phytochemical screening). Furthermore, no heavy metals (Pb, Hg, Cd, Ar), pesticides, ad microbial limits were detected beyond the permissible limits specified, as determined with AAS, GC–MS analysis, and microbial tests. The HPTLC was developed to characterize a complete phytochemical behavior for the components present in P. domestica fruit extract. The parameters utilized with the method used and the results observed for the prunus herein may render this method an effective tool for quality evaluation, standardization, and quality control of P. domestica fruit in research, industries, and market available food products of prunus.
Highlights
The role of natural products in pharmaceutical biology is well established
There are a variety of methods and techniques that can be used in process standardization, such as pharmacognostic, phytochemical, and contaminant analyses
Establishing the authenticity, identity, and purity of a medicinal plant can start with an organoleptic evaluation and should be tested prior to any in-depth assessment to verify the authenticity of the samples
Summary
The role of natural products in pharmaceutical biology is well established. Plants have been the primary source of medicine since ancient times. As per World Health Organization (WHO), >80% of the world’s population of traditional medicines and used for the treatment of disease. Data of all research conducted on traditional drugs must be kept and documented as well. With this particular issue, it is essential to ensure that the herbal crude drugs and their parts used as medicine are properly standardized. It is possible to identify and standardize plant material using these methods and procedures. The WHO explained conventional medicines as containing various health practices, concepts, awareness, and theories integrating herbal, mineral, and/or animal-based remedies, spiritual medication, and physical exercises performed either individually or collectively to promote health or to cure, diagnose, or prevent diseases. Some terms related to natural medicines have been provided by the WHO, according to their definitions [4]
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