European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PHYTO-PHARMACOGNOSTICAL STUDIES OF INDRAVARUNI MOOL (Citrullus colocynthis Root)

Lakhan*, D. C. Singh and Shailendra Pradhan

ABSTRACT

World Health Organization survey indicated that about 70-80% of the world's population rely on nonconventional medicine, mainly of herbal sources, in their primary healthcare. In Ayurveda, medicinal plants as wholesome considered as a drug which contains chemical constituents in such a manner which acts via counter acting mechanism. Indravaruni is a well known plant of ancient medical sciences. It is described in almost all Samhita’s and Nighantus of Ayurveda. Indravaruni is Citrullus colocynthis Schrad belongs to family Cucurbitaceae, mostly found throughout India, both wild and cultivated. All the parts of this plants are reported for various ethnobotanical and therapeutic uses. In present study roots of the plant were taken for phrmacognostic & photochemical study. Microscopically roots showed presence of thick wall epidermis, 5-8 layer cortex, pericycle & vascular bundles in between medullary rays and pith present. In Phytochemical study, on the basis of qualitative analysis phenols, tannins, flavonoids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, saponin, alkaloids were estimated. In Physicochemical analysis foreign matter found 0%, moisture content was found 6.47%, pH value found 5.1%, total ash found 12.98%. All these parameters will help in confirming identity, quality, purity, potency, safety and efficacy of the plant.

Keywords: Indravaruni, Saponin, Epidermis, Flavonoids, Alkaloids.