Authentication Of Herbal Drugs Research Articles

PLANT DNA BARCODES: APPLICATION IN HERBAVIGILANCE

Globally, 80% of the world population uses the herbal medicines. Wellbeing is a key guideline in arranging natural prescriptions and herbal products for medical care, and a basic segment of value control. Among consumers, there is a widespread misconception that “natural” always mean “safe.” However, certain adverse occurrences recorded in relation with herbal products are due to quality issues. Ongoing improvements in sub-atomic plant ID utilizing DNA arrangement information empower exact recognizable proof of plant species from herbal prescriptions utilizing characterized DNA markers for identification of species by the application of short sequence of genome by DNA barcoding. It depends on three unique cornerstones of current scientific classification, including molecularization (i.e., the utilization of the fluctuation of sub-atomic markers as discriminator; computerization (i.e., the non-repetitive rendering of the information utilizing informatic; and normalization (i.e., the augmentation of a way to deal with general gatherings of not carefully related life forms). DNA meta-barcoding is a specific application of this field which includes several organisms. Both the techniques are highly demandable for the rapid authentication of herbal drugs. The implementations for a strong and exhaustive barcoding framework are advocated and promise a scope of potential advantages, both monetarily and environmentally. The age and curation of DNA reference information of natural medications should turn into a public opinion need and perceived as a basic science foundation of the pharma world.

Quality Control Evaluation of an Ayurvedic Herbomineral Compound – Mukkadi Bidalaka

Background: Mukkadi Bidalaka Yoga is a herbomineral compound which is claimed to be effective in Madhumehajanya Timira (Diabetic Retinopathy). In present study, it has been used for Bidalaka Karma.Objective: Present study was designed to watch out on herbal and mineral drugs used in the preparation of Mukkadi Bidalaka Yoga to assess the quality, purity, safety and efficacy of the drug by pharmacognostical (microscopic) study, physicochemical study and chromatographic evaluation. Methods: Pharmacognostical study i.e. morphological characters, organoleptic characters and powder microscopy was done for identification and authentication of all the raw drugs. Physicochemical study and HPTLC of final product were done. Results: Pharmacognostical characters of Mukkadi Bidalaka observed under the microscope were epicarp cells and lignified stone cell of Haritaki, Trichome and lignified scleroids of Bibhitaki, Scleroids, silica deposition of Amalaki, Parenchyma cells and starch grain of Haridra, Prismatic crystal, pitted vessels and fibers of Daruharidra, Cork cells of Nimba, Brown content of Sariva, Trichome, oil globule of Usheera, Stone cells, scleroids, prismatic crystal and fibers of Lodhra, Cork cells , fibers and stone cells of Vata, Parenchyma cells and oil globule of Durva, Border pitted vessels, lignified stone cells oil globule and lignified fiber passing through medullary rays of Chandana, Particles of Girika. Border pitted vessels, lignified fiber, lignified fiber passing through medullary rays of Raktachandana. Pharmaceutical evaluation of Mukkadi Bidalaka Yoga showed results loss on drying at 110C 5.85 % w/w, pH value 6.0, water soluble extract 21.60% w/w, methanol soluble extract 14.28% w/w, Ash value 3% w/w acid insoluble ash 0.39% w/w. High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography result shows 9 spots at 254 nm and 7 spots at 366 nm. Conclusion: Identification and authentication of herbal drug used in the preparation of Mukkadi Bidalaka Yoga was done. Pharmacognostical, physicochemical and HPTLC evaluation of prepared drug has been carried out.

Quality Control Assessment of an Ayurvedic Medicine - Durvadi Ghrita

Background: Durvadi Ghrita is a Sneha Kalpana which is claimed to be effective in Madhumehajanya Timira (Diabetic Retinopathy). In present study, it has been used for Nasya. Objective: Present study was planned to look out on herbal drugs used in the preparation of Durvadi Ghrita and standardization of drug by pharmacognostical and physicochemical parameters and HPTLC evaluation. Methods: Identification and authentication of all the raw drug was done by pharmacognostical study i.e. morphological characters, organoleptic characters and powder microscopy. Physicochemical evaluation and HPTLC of final product were done. Results: Pharmacognostical study of all the raw drugs of Durvadi Ghrita showed presence of oil globule, prismatic crystals of Durva. Lignified branched trichome, pollen grains of Utpala Kinjalaka. Trichome, border pitted vessels of Manjishtha. Collenchyma cells, border pitted vessel of Elvaluka. Lignified fibres, oil globules of Sita. Pitted fibres, pitted vessels of Usheera. Scalariform vessels, prismatic crystals of Musta. Pitted vessels and lignified fibres, crystal fibres of Chandana. Lignified cork, and stone cells of Padmaka etc. Pharmaceutical evaluation of Durvadi Ghrita showed results Specific Gravity 0.9125, Refractive Index 1.47, Acid Value 0.4608, Iodine Value 11.45 and Saponification Value 128.856. High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography, 12 spots were found at 254 nm and five spots were found at 366 nm. Conclusion: Identification and authentication of herbal drug used in the preparation of Durvadi Ghrita has been done. Pharmacognostical and physicochemical evaluation of prepared drug has been carried out which can be further useful for standardization of Durvadi Ghrita and other clinical researches.

Quality assurance and authentication of herbal drug (Argyrolobium roseum and Viola stocksii) through comparative light and scanning electron microscopy

The quality assurance and authentication of crude herbal drugs play important role in the effective therapeutic effect of herbal drug and their products. There are many reported problems in quality assurance of herbal crude drugs concerning to their correct identification. The present study was designed with the aim to document the authentication and quality assurance of the herbal crude drugs (Argyrolobium roseum and Viola stocksii) thorough light microscopy (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The detailed foliar anatomical studies showed polygonal epidermal cells having anticlinal walls in Argyrolobium roseum while rounded epidermal cells were observed in Viola stocksii. The anomocytic stomata type was observed in Argrolobium roseum while actinocytic was noticed in Viola stocksii. The pollen of studied species appeared as tricolporate showing reticulate exine sculpturing in Argrolobium roseum while fine perforations were recorded in Viola stocksii. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of phenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity showed high flavonoid and phenol content in Argyrolobium roseum as compared with Viola stocksii. It was observed that Argyrolobium roseum was discriminated from the Viola stocksii based on the leaf and pollen micromorphological traits by using LM and SEM techniques. It was concluded that LM and SEM techniques were found useful for the quality assurance of botanicals and their authentication.

A review on molecular techniques employed for authentication of Indian medicinal plants

Traditional medical systems are advancing to the level of modern medicines in treatment and preventive aspects. The increased trade in medicinal plants provides income source for herbalists while substitution of rare ingredients with cheaper and more readily available species is misleading the end users. The prime cause of the problems associated with the standardization of medicinal plants is complex composition of herbal drugs used in the form of whole plants, plant parts or extracts. Deliberate adulteration of intended ingredients are posing difficulty in distinguishing the genuine resources. Authentication of medicinal plants by recent molecular techniques is inevitable for herbal drug industries, researchers and academia. Of late, herbal genomics, molecular studies of medicinal plants and powerful next generation sequencing techniques have been emerged to transform the current knowledge. A compilation of various molecular markers used, their efficiency in barcoding for the purpose of accurate authentication of herbal drugs has been attempted in this study. Data were collected from previous literature and online repositories like NCBI, Pubmed etc. There are various molecular techniques that can be exploited for authentication of medicinal plants such as Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP), Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP), Sequence Characterized Amplified Region (SCAR), Selective Amplification of Microsatellite polymorphic loci (SAMPL), Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR), Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR), DNA barcoding, Next Generation Sequencing Techniques etc. Some of medicinal plants were reported having molecular data useful in plant identification. The genomic data of poly herbal formulations helps for scientific validation and universal recognition. Even though the challenges associated with reprehensibility, primer designing, amplification products of molecular markers and troubles related with DNA isolation and purification, become the major obstacle in front of researchers. It is high time to focus these novel strategies for proper identification to ensure the fidelity of traditional herbal products and there by promoting a step towards the global acceptance of our indigenous medicinal systems.

Pharmacognostical and Pharmaceutical evaluation of Herbo mineral Formulation: Aragvadhadi taila

Background: Aragvadhadi taila is a Sneha Kalpana, indicated in Kushtha Roga specially in Shvitra (Vitiligo) Roga. In present study, it has been used for external application in Shvitra (Vitiligo) Roga. Objective: Present study is aimed to look out on herbal drugs used in the preparation of Aragvadhadi taila and standardization of Pharmacognostical, Physicochemical parameters and HPTLC evaluation. Methods: Intermediate product sample (Kalka) identification and authentication was done by pharmacognostical study i.e. morphological features, organoleptic characters and powder microscopy. Physicochemical evaluation and HPTLC was carried out of final product. Results: Pharmacognostical Study of Intermediate product sample (Kalka) showed presence of Scleroids, Spoon cells, Tannin containg cells, Cluster crystal, Rosette crystal, Oil globules, Lignified fibres etc. Pharmaceutical evaluation showed results specific gravity 0.91, Refractive Index 1.4870, Acid Value 7.12, Saponification Value 316, Iodine Value 7.58. High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography at 254nm and 366 nm results in to 8,5 and 6 spots before and after spray respectively. Conclusion: Identification, Authentication of Herbal drugs used in the preparation and Intermediate product sample (Kalka) has been done. Physicochemical evaluation has been carried out of prepared drug which is further useful for standardization of Aragvadhadi taila and another researches.

Pharmacognostical and Pharmaceutical evaluation of Bilwadi taila: An Ayurvedic oil based medicine

Background: Bilwadi Taila is a Sneha Kalpana, indicated in Karna Roga specially in Badhirya Roga. In present study, it has been used for Karnapurana in Badhirya Roga. Objective: Present study is aimed to look out on Apakva Bilwa phala majja (Raw drug) used in the preparation of Bilwadi Taila and standardization of Pharmacognostical, Physicochemical parameters and HPTLC evaluation. Methods: Raw Drug identification and authentication was done by pharmacognostical study i.e. Morphological features, organoleptic characters and powder microscopy. Physicochemical evaluation and HPTLC was carried out of final product. Results: Pharmacognostical Study of Apakva Bilwa phala majja (Raw Drug) showed presence of Scleroids, Spoon cells, Tannin containg cells, Cluster crystal, Rosette crystal, Oil globules, Lignified fibres etc. Pharmaceutical evaluation showed results specific gravity 0.9376, Refractive Index 1.4870, Acid Value 5.37,Saponification Value 210.77, Iodine Value 11.High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography at 254nm and 366 nm results in to 8,4 and 6 spots before and after spray respectively. Conclusion: Identification, Authentication of Herbal drug used in the preparation and Raw Drug has been done. Physicochemical evaluation has been carried out of Bilwadi Taila, which is further useful for standardization and another researches.

Authentication of herbal drug Tukhm‐e‐balango (Lallemantia royleana Benth.) using microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization

The study is aimed to provide a comprehensive account on authentication of herbal drug named as Tukhm-e-balango (Lallemantia royleana Benth.) from the seeds of Ocimum basilicum by using microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization. The crude medicinal plants and their parts are often adulterated or substituted in market due to improper identification by the consumers while among herbal plant sellers, taxonomic confusion is caused due to morphological similarities of the plant parts and lack of a standard identification system.In microscopy, both herbarium and fresh specimens were studied using qualitative and quantitative morphological characteristics of leaves, seeds, and pollen. For pharmacognosy, solubility, fluorescence, and physicochemical characterizers were analyzed whereas a total phenolic and flavonoids contents was determined in addition to DPPH radical scavenging activity. In current study, microscopic, pharmacognostic, and phytochemical characterization clearly differentiated L. royleana from O. basilicum. The major problem in herbal drug industry is caused due to confusion and controversy of certain synonyms used for more than one or two drugs. Sometimes, under the same common or local name, entirely different taxa are being sold in herbal markets. It is concluded that correct and proper identification of medicinal plants is very crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines, as many medicinal plants are intentionally or unintentionally adulterated with similar species or varieties. In herbal market, the seeds of L. royleana are adulterated with seeds of O. basilicum due to their similar morphology.

A critical insight of modern herbal drugs therapy under the purview of toxicity and authenticity

Herbal medicines have recently been used for treatment of various diseases. The unwanted reaction and other concern like authenticity of herbal drugs is one of the important issues that have been addressed in this article. Toxicity of various important herbal drugs which are used regularly may also induce fatal reaction in our body. Herbal drug interaction with conventional drug and their serious consequences may be also life threatening for the patients who consume herbal drugs. Drug mutagenicity and contamination of herbal drugs are discussed here with suitable example. Drug authenticity with suitable illustration is also depicted in this review article. The aim of this article is to deliver an insight to the critical points of modern herbal drugs therapy and to find the scope for future scientists to overcome the serious issues regarding the herbal drugs treatment in recent era.

Comparative study of Passiflora taxa leaves: II. A chromatographic profile

Popularly known as passion fruit, some species of the genus Passiflora are widely used in folk medicines, such as sedatives and tranquilizers in many countries. Although these plants are employed for the same purposes, research with different species of Passiflora has indicated their heterogeneous chemical compositions. Since different chemical compositions can result in varying degrees of therapeutic efficiency, quality control based on the chemical constituents of each species is essential. To that end, the aim of this study was to compare pharmacognostically species of Passiflora in order to establish a chromatographic profile for the quality control of drugs in herbal medicines containing passion fruit. The study was conducted by collecting samples of leaves from twelve Passiflora taxa (i.e., ten species and two forms of P. edulis) – P. actinia, P. alata, P. amethystina, P. capsularis, P. cincinnata, P. edulis f. flavicarpa, P. edulis f. edulis, P. incarnata, P. morifolia, P. urnifolia, P. coccinea, and P. setacea – from different locations and obtaining their chromatographic profiles via thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. Both methods used the flavonoid C-glycosides isoorientin, orientin, vitexin, and isovitexin as reference compounds and could ultimately establish specific profiles for each species. The chromatographic analyses discussed here can be used to assist in determining the quality and authenticity of herbal drugs derived from Passiflora species.

Significance of molecular markers in pharmacognosy: A modern tool for authentication of herbal drugs

Quality evaluation of herbal preparation is an elementary requirement of industry and other association dealing with Ayurvedic and herbal products. The growing use of botanical products now a days is forcing to assess these agents and to develop standards of quality and produce. An attempt has been made through this article to highlight the use of molecular markers for botanicals with special reference to Indian herbal medicine. As the desire for herbal-based products becomes ingrained in our society but standardization of botanicals offers many obstacles like the controversial identity of various plants, deliberated adulteration of plant material, ensuring quality is much more than discovery, specification, and process control. It also includes awareness of every aspect of a manufacturing process from research to shipping. Extensive research on DNA-based molecular markers is in progress for its great utility in the herbal drug analysis and widely used for the authentification of plant species of medicinal importance. DNA markers are reliable for information as the genetic composition is unique for each species and is not affected by age, physiological conditions, as well as environmental factors. DNA markers offer several advantages over conventional phenotypic markers, as they provide data that can be analyzed objectively.

Pharmacognostic characterisation of flowers Woodfordia fruiticosa Kurz. (Dhataki Pushpa) used as fermentation initiators

Background: Woodfordia fruiticosa Kurz. flowers are highly valued medicinal material used in Indian System of Medicine. They are used as fermentation initiators in medicated alcoholic preparations like asavas and arishtas. In addition to this, flowers are recommended in acute diarrhoea, haemorrhages, ulceration and erysipelas. Authentication of herbal drug by macro-microscopic and chemical characterization should be the primary criteria prior to its usage. Materials and Methods: In the current study flowers of W. fruiticosa are collected and subjected for macro-microscopic and physico-chemical analysis aiding standard methodology. Results: Macro-microscopic features of different parts of a flower are documented along with their photographs. Physico-chemical values like total ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash, ethanol soluble extractive and water soluble extractive are recorded. Conclusion: Macro-microscopic atlas; along with physico-chemical value serve as reference standard for identification and distinguishing the sample from its substitutes and adulterants.

Authentication of herbal drug Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.): A village pharmacy for Indo-Pak Subcontinent

The present study deals with the taxonomic and pharmacognostic authentication of the herbal medicine Senna (Cassia angustifolia Vahl.). This plant of considerable pharmaceutical importance, has been recommended for constipation, piles, epilepsy, respiratory diseases, skin infections, migraine and heart diseases. No studies are available on the micro, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), pharmacognostic and taxonomic analysis of traded parts of C. angustifolia and its substitute Cassia obtusifolia. Hence, the present study was undertaken to authenticate genuine source of herbal drug Senna based on microscopic palynomorph, anatomical features, behavior of powdered drug with different chemical reagents and fluorescence analysis. The C. angustifolia is a perennial herb up to 80 cm tall with tricolporate pollen, foveolate sculpturing, paracytic stomata and single celled non-glandular trichome. It is differentiated from its substitute, C. obtusifolia, which is a perennial shrub up to 3.5 m tall having pollen with widely minute holes on surface, anomocytic stomata and elongated trichomes with pointed tips. The powdered drug of C. angustifolia is pale greenish in color, while its adulterant C. obtusifolia is dark green. It was concluded from this study that the knowledge of morpho-palynological, anatomical and pharmacognostical analysis may lead to authentication of herbal drugs like Senna for the purpose of employment in quality assurance of pharmaceutical products globally. Key words: Senna, authentication, herbal drug, pharmacognosy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Assessment of genetic diversity among collected genotypes of Chlorophytum borivilianum using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

Chlorophytum borivilianum (Family: Liliaceae), an important threatened medicinal herb is designated as ‘Rare’ in Red Data Book of Indian plants. Morphological as well as biochemical markers used in the authentication of herbal drugs have many limitations due to the impact of environmental conditions. Molecular markers therefore, are an important tool in quality assurance and preservation of germplasm of medicinal plant species in the plant kingdom. In this study, RAPD markers were used to assess genetic diversity in nine genotypes of C. borivilianum collected from different geographical regions of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Out of the 43 bands obtained, 26 were polymorphic, with (67.49) percent polymorphism, thus, revealing a high degree of polymorphism. Percentage of polymorphism detected with each primer was as high as 80.00 (OP L18) and as low as 33.30 (OP L12). The Jaccard’s similarity coefficient ranged from 0.609 to 0.810. The maximum similarity value was noticed between V 3 and V 5 genotypes collected from Lamni (C.G.) and Chitrakoot (U.P.), respectively. Keywords : Genetic diversity, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD)-PCR, UPGMA, Chlorophytum borivilianum.

Authentication of Euclea natalensis leaf by botanical identification

Microscopical characters are well established criteria in the identification and authentication of herbal drugs. Leaves of Euclea natalensis A. DC. (Ebenaceae) are commonly used in the treatment of headache and toothache, as well as for abdominal complaints and as purgative [1]. The purpose of this study was to determine the most relevant diagnostic characters to identify leaves of E. natalensis by light microscopy (LM) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). Used methodology includes the microscopic analysis of the whole, fragmentised and powdered dried leaves (minimum of 30 adult leaves). Results showed that among the most useful micro characters for leaf identification are the following: a thick cuticle on both epidermises; the dorsiventral organization of the mesophyll, with one to two cell layers of palisade parenchyma on the upper epidermis and spongy parenchyma with rounded cells on the lower epidermis; the midrib vascular bundle surrounded by a sclerenchymatous tissue; the xylem with numerous small vessels, radially arranged; the presence of calcium oxalate prism crystals; numerous paracytic and diacytic stomata frequent in lower epidermis with an irregular distribution and conical unicellular non-glandular trichomes, with thick walls, sometimes curved near the base and are also fairly abundant (Image 1). A developed collenchyma is present under the lower epidermis of the midrib area and near the upper epidermis. The powdered material is characterized by the presence of fragments containing the above named structures. Obtained results can be useful on quality control protocols involving this medicinal plant.

Mikroskopischer Farbatlas pflanzlicher Drogen

doi:10.3797/scipharm.br-10-04 Teaching of microscopy in the pharmacy curricula in Europe has almost vanished, although adulterations and mistakes in identification of herbal substances have caused several problems during the last decade. Thus, profound knowledge in the macroscopic and microscopic authentication of herbal drugs is an indispensable prerequisite in quality control. This book provides an excellent overview over macroscopical and much more detailed over microscopical features of more than 140 herbal substances used in European phytotherapy. Those drugs with existing HMPC-, WHO- and ESCOP-monographs have been prioritized. In each of the presented monographs the precise botanical name of the respective plant (under inclusion of recent systematic findings), a photograph of macroscopic characteristics, a short compilation of the most important compounds and the use of the herbal substance is given. Additionally, six clear coloured charts of the most important microscopical characteristics are shown and described in detail. The drugs are arranged according to the plant part used (leaves, herbs, flowers, fruits, seeds, roots, barks and rhizomes) and presented in alphabetical order based on the German names. Finally, some instructions for investigations under use of colouring reagents for specific compounds, a glossar and charts explaining the structure of several plant organs follow. This book is highly recommended to all interested pharmacists whether in public pharmacies or in quality control of herbal substances in industry as well as especially for students, because it provides a detailed insight into this more and more neglected field. The in-depth microscopical part makes the book a valuable teaching tool and excellently suitable for self-learning.