Comparative pharmacognostical, phytochemical and chromatographical analysisof Sharivadvaya

Abstract

“Sariva” is a commonly used medicinal plant in the treatment of fever, dysentery, and skin diseases.Two varieties of Sariva; Krishna sariva (KS) (Ichnocarpus frutescens, family Apocynaceae) and Svetasariva (SS) (Hemidesmus indicus, family Asclepiadaceae) are mentioned in Ayurvedic texts. These twoare often substituted for each other in the market for therapeutic purposes due to the similarmorphological features of their roots, which are the main parts used medicinally. Despite theirclassification under different plant families, some Nighantus describe both plants having comparableRasadi pancaka (Pharmacodynamic properties) and different pharmacological actions. This study aimsto compare both botanical sources regarding their pharmacognostical, phytochemical andchromatographical properties. Authenticated plant samples were compared based on microscopiccharacteristics, phytochemical profiles, and chromatographic analysis. Unicellular trichomes, starchgrains and cortical parenchymal cells were found in microscopic views of dry powder of both plants.KS showed rhomboidal calcium oxalate crystals, while SS showed resinous blocks along withfragments of pitted vessels. Ash values were 5.025 % and 4.020% and loss of drying values were 6.68%and 5.78% for KS and SS respectively. Alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, and tannins werescreened from the ethanol extracts of both plants. Chromatographic profiling at 366 nm using a mobilephase of toluene: ethyl acetate: formic acid (8:2:0.1) with vanillin as the standard revealed a fewcommon peaks in SS (Rf values; 0.23, 0.18, 0.11) and KS (Rf values; 0.25, 0.19, 0.06, 0.78) with highestpeak area for vanillin found in SS compared to KS (SS: KS, 1078.7:1710.3). These findings confirmthat Krishna sariva and Sveta sariva exhibit some similarities in pharmacognostical properties, andphytochemical characteristics showed that they are histologically and chemically distinct. Quantification of bioactive constituents and the structural identification of active ingredients wouldprovide deeper insights into the potency and efficacy of each variety.