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Background: Indigenous medicines regularly suffer with quality controversies because of similar species or varieties, substituent, adulterants wrong identification and lack of availability of original herb. Objectives: In the search for authenticity of traditional medicine, seeds of four Fabaceae species, Abrus precatorius L., Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre, Trigonella foenum-graecum L. and Senna tora L. were investigated in order to obtain characteristic patterns and medicinal potentiality by the way of pharmacognostical analysis. Each drug posse's excellent potential in Ayurvedic medicinal system. Materials and Methods: The essential parameters studied up for the pharmacognosy of given seeds were macroscopical study, histochemical evaluation, including transverse section, powder microscopy and physicochemical parameters. Results: The organoleptic and macroscopic profiles of seeds revealed the common characters like smooth surface and bitter taste. From the microscopical evaluation, oil globule, starch grains and prismatic type of calcium oxalate crystals were also found in the seed of P. pinnata. In A. precatorius, starch grains and yellowish cell content are present, but these are completely absent in other Fabaceae members, only mucilage content and oil globules present in Trigonella foenum-graecum and anthraquinone pigment cells and rosette type calcium oxalate crystals present in Senna tora. Conclusion: The current study report on pharmacognostical analysis will provides important diagnostic tool for future identification, authentication and evidence in correct identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Quality, safety, and efficacy are the three main components of any therapy used for disease cure. Ayurveda encompasses vast knowledge regarding the use of numerous herbal sources for disease management. Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Known as Mundi) is one such drug praised in classical as well as contemporary medicinal science for its therapeutic efficacy. The present study aims at development of quality standards for the Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Whole plant) sample utilizing physico-chemical and phytochemical analysis. Objectives: To perform physico-chemical, phytochemical, HPTLC, FTIR and UV analysis of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn (Whole plant) sample. Materials and Methods: Physico-chemical analysis was done as per the guidelines mentioned by Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Phytochemical analysis, HPTLC, FTIR and UV analysis was done as per the globally accepted standard guidelines. Observations and Results: The observed values were then compared to the standard values to make the monograph of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn. (Whole Plant). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lāngali (Gloriosa superba L.) is a drug in upavișa varga (semi-poisonous drug) which has to undergo śodhana procedure before its therapeutic use. The present study was planned to assess the role of śodhana of Lāngali tuber by gomūtra on its safety aspects in experimental animals, which is recommended by Ayurvedic Formulary of India. The therapeutic dose of Lāngali as per API is 125 to 250 mg/day. For the present study the higher dose i.e. 250 mg was selected. Wistar strain albino rats were used for the study. The animals were divided into seven groups and each group contained 12 animals (six male and six female). The study was done for 90 days followed by 30 days (total 120 days) recovery study. Various haematological, biochemical parameters and histopathology of the organs were studied. The study showed that śodhana process attenuates the toxicity producing potential of raw Lāngali. When processed with gomūtra, lāngali root produces good spermatogenic effect while raw/aśodhita lāngali hampers spermatogenesis at 10 times dose level. So it can be concluded that both raw and śodhita Langali found relatively safe up to 5 times therapeutic dose level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants of orthopedic importance have contributed for the development of many new pharmacologically effective molecules/chemical entities to modern medicine. India, the country having one of the richest bio diversity of its flora in its forest, with numerous tribal inhabitants, is able to contribute a lot from orthopedic to the ailing humanity. Cordial maledict Hook. (Brainteaser), an orthopedic plant has been highlighted for its wound healing, aphrodisiac and exhortative activities. It is a medium-sized tree, known as Panic/ Shirker by the tribals, rarely found in the forests of Priss, Chatting and Madhya Pradesh. So far, the plant has been studied neither for its Pharmacognostic characters nor for its pharmacological actions except its exhortative activity. Hence, it has been selected for a detailed investigation which includes Pharmacognostic study of its leaf to find out the diagnostic characters and preliminary physicochemical analysis. Results of the study will help in identifying the plant Pharmacognostic. Presence of alkaloids, glycosides and tannins were found during the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]