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| PHARMACEUTICAL STANDARDIZATION |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 34
| Issue : 1 | Page : 90-94 |
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Pharmacognostical evaluation of Launaea sarmentosa (Willd.) schultz-bip.ex Kuntze root
Yusriyya Salih1, CR Harisha2, Vinay J Shukla3, Rabinarayan Acharya4
1 Ayurvedic Physician, Wiesbaden, Germany
2 Head, Pharamacognosy Laboratory, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
3 Head, Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
4 Associate Professor, Department of Dravyaguna, Institute for Post Graduate Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
| Date of Web Publication | 23-Jul-2013 |
Correspondence Address:
Yusriyya Salih
Fenchelring 23, 65191 Wiesbaden
Germany
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.115439
 Abstract | | |
Launaea sarmentosa (Willd) Schultz-Bip.ex Kuntze (Asteraceae), locally known as Kulhafila in the Maldives, is a creeping herb, native to tropical Indian coastlines. According to anecdotal evidence from locals in the Maldives, the roots of this plant are used as an ingredient of a popular medicinal preparation (Hilibeys) taken by mothers after childbirth. It is also used in various other ailments in different parts of the Maldives, as well as in India. So far, there has been no scientific documentation of this plant. The only source of information available is held by natives and traditional medical practitioners. The present study was conducted on the root of L. sarmentosa for its pharmacognostical and phytochemical characteristics as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoea of India (API) parameters. The microscopic characteristics of the root show prismatic crystals, multiseriate medullary rays, laticiferous cells, and pitted parenchyma. Qualitative analyses, such as loss on drying, ash value, pH, etc., were conducted. Preliminary phytochemical screening shows the presence of alkaloids, tannin, steroids, etc. Keywords: Asteraceae, Kulhafila, Launaea sarmentosa, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry
How to cite this article:
Salih Y, Harisha C R, Shukla VJ, Acharya R. Pharmacognostical evaluation of Launaea sarmentosa (Willd.) schultz-bip.ex Kuntze root. AYU 2013;34:90-4 |
How to cite this URL:
Salih Y, Harisha C R, Shukla VJ, Acharya R. Pharmacognostical evaluation of Launaea sarmentosa (Willd.) schultz-bip.ex Kuntze root. AYU [serial online] 2013 [cited 2023 Mar 23];34:90-4. Available from: https://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2013/34/1/90/115439 |
| Introduction | |  |
Launaea sarmentosa (Willd) Schultz-Bip.ex Kuntze, locally known as Kulhafila in the Maldives, is a prostrate, creeping, fleshy, perennial herb which is found on sandy beaches and is distributed across Mozambique, South Africa, Madagascar, Seychelles, Reunion, Mauritius, and India at an altitude range of 0 to 15 m. [1]
The plant is used as a source of medicine in the Maldives as well as in the coastal areas of India. In the Maldives, traditional practitioners use the plant root (Kulhafilamoo) for various ailments. Kulhafilamoo (root of L. sarmentosa) is used mainly in a lehya preparation known as Hilibeys, which is used by mothers after child birth. It is also used for various abdominal disorders, especially due to Vai (Vata), and in urinary infections. [2]
L. sarmentosa is also reported to possess tonic, soporific, diuretic, and aperient properties and is used as a substitute for Taraxacum (Taraxacum officinale). [3] Latex from L. sarmentosa is also commonly used by fishermen to heal skin injuries caused by fish spines while fishing. [4] Other uses in mainland India include the use of the whole plant in gout and the leaf in rheumatism. Among the islanders of the Indian Ocean, the whole plant is used as a bath decoction to treat skin diseases and fish stings. [5]
Through literary research, it has been found that there is no prior scientific evaluation on its pharmacognostical and phytochemical properties. The information available is mainly on its traditional use by locals living in coastal areas. In this study, the root of L. sarmentosa is analyzed for its pharmacognostical and phytochemical properties along with High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) as well as tests for heavy metals.
| Materials and Methods | | |
Collection of the sample
The fresh plants of L. sarmentosa were collected from their natural habitat, i.e., the coastal area of the Maldives in the month of June. The collected samples were identified and authenticated with the help of different Floras [6] and databases. [1] A verified voucher specimen is kept in the Pharmacognosy Laboratory of IPGT and RA, Vide no: 6005/10/7/09 for future reference. The collected samples were washed, shade dried, and coarsely powdered (60 mesh) and preserved in an airtight container. For the histological profile, the plant was preserved in a solution of FAA (70% ethyl alcohol, Glacial acetic acid, and Formalin in the ration 90:5:5). [7] Sample subjected for:
Pharmacognostical evaluation
Pharmacognostical evaluation was carried-out by following available standard guidelines. [8]
Organoleptic evaluation
The texture, color, odor, and taste of the root and root powder were recorded.
Microscopic evaluation
Free-hand sections were taken, cleared with chloral hydrate, phloroglucinol, and then with hydrochloric acid. The Transverse Section (TS) and powder microscopic studies were conducted and microphotographs were taken using a Carl Zeiss binocular microscope with an attached camera.
Histochemical analysis for starch, tannin, mucilage, lignin, and crystals were also carried out. [9]
Physicochemical evaluation
The root was analyzed for parameters such as loss on drying, ash value, water and methanol-soluble extracts, petroleum ether extracts, and pH as per the standards of Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API).
Preliminary phytochemical screening
Test for alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates, glycosides, tannin, and steroids were carried out following the standard methods as per API.
High performance thin layer chromatography
High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) was carried on the saponifiable fraction of the root powder, which was subjected to petroleum ether (at 60°-80°C) in a continuous extraction apparatus (Soxhlet extractor) for 6 hours. The extract was filtered quantitatively into a tared evaporating dish and the solvent was evaporated on a water bath. The residue was dried at 105°C to constant weight. The percentage of the ether-soluble extractive value was calculated with reference to an air-dried sample of the drug. This was further subjected for the separation to obtain the unsaponifiable fraction. [10]
Heavy metal analysis
Tests for heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium were carried out as per the API parameters.
| Results and Discussion | | |
Organoleptic characteristics
The fresh roots are slightly smooth to the touch, yellowish brown in color, sweet in taste, and aromatic. The dried root powder is rough to the touch, light brown in color, sweet in taste and smell [Table 1]. | Table 1: Organoleptic characteristics of root of L. sarmentosa (dry and fresh form)
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Morphological characteristics of the root
The plant was identified as L. sarmentosa (Willd) Schultz-Bip.ex Kuntze (Asteraceae), based on its morphological [Figure 1]a and b and floral characteristics [Figure 1]c. It is a perennial stoloniferous herb, rooting at the nodes and forming new rosettes. The roots are a simple tap root and the root stocks are semi woody, 10 cm to 1 m long, and 0.5-2 cm broad. The roots arise from the nodal region of the plant. The young roots are light yellow in color, when fully matured they are light brown. The roots are aromatic, somewhat round, cylindrical, and spongy with few rootlets [Figure 1]d. The fresh root exudes milky white latex [Figure 1]e, when broken. The dried roots [Figure 1]f are light brown, hard, rough, semi-woody, and fibrous. | Figure 1: (a) Plant in its natural habitat (Gn.Fuvahmulah, Maldives). (b) Flowering head with ligulate florets along with stem. (c) A matured plant (d) Root exuding milky latex. (e) A matured fresh root. (f) Dried roots
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Microscopic characteristics
Transverse section
The TS taken [Figure 2]a of the root shows 8 to 9 tangentially running rows of lignified cork cells. Underneath the cork are loosely arranged parenchyma cells with prismatic crystals and a number of laticiferous cells [Figure 2]b. Some of the cortical cells consist of tannin material and are embedded with starch grains. The vascular bundles are centrally situated and their width covers about 50% of the root. The phloem is situated above the xylem with some sieve tube and companion cells [Figure 2]c. The medullary rays arising from the center extend up to the cortex region. It is barrel shaped, multi serrated, and loaded with some starch grains and prismatic crystals. There are approximately 6 to 8 vascular bundles centrally situated [Figure 2]c. The xylem is diarch to tetrarch, composed of xylem parenchyma and xylem fibers, occupying almost the entire portion of the root which is devoid of pith [Figure 2]c. | Figure 2: (a) Transverse section of the root (×3.5). (b) Laticiferous cells (×20). (c) Vascular Bundle (×10)
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The diagnostic microscopic characteristics of the root powder show cork in surface [Figure 3]a and tangential views [Figure 3]b and lignified and pitted parenchyma cells [Figure 3]c from cortical and vascular bundle. The cortex region contains simple parenchyma cells and simple fibers. There are also scalariform [Figure 3]d and pitted vessels [Figure 3]e of the stiller region. Also, starch grains in the cortex and medullary rays, as well as tannin content [Figure 3]f within cells of the cortical region are shown. | Figure 3: (a) Cork in surface view (×20). (b) Cork in tangential view (×20). (c) Parenchyma cells (×20). (d) Scalariform vessel (×20). (e) Pitted vessel (×20). (f) Tannin content (×20)
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The histochemical analysis of the root powder confirms the presence of starch, tannin, mucilage, lignin, and crystals [Table 2].
Qualitative analysis
Loss on drying of the sample is directly related to moisture content and if the moisture content of the drug is high, it affects the preservation of it. Loss on drying of the sample was found to be 5.78%w/w and ash value was found to be 12.45% w/w. Ash value is indicative of the presence of inorganic and salt materials in the sample. Water- and alcohol-soluble extractive values are indicative of the bioavailability of the plant and the load of organic compounds. The water-soluble extractive value of the sample was 15.30% w/w. The alcohol-soluble extractive value was 09.78% w/w, the petroleum ether extractive value of the drug was 2.34% w/w which indicates fixed oil content, and the pH value of the sample was found to be 6.10 which indicate that it is slightly acidic in nature [Table 3].
Preliminary phytochemical screaming
The qualitative analysis of the root powder shows the presence of alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates, glycosides, tannin, and steroids [Table 4]. | Table 4: Preliminary phytochemical screening of root powder of L. sarmentosa
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HPTLC
The unsaponifiable fraction of the root extract of L. sarmentosa was subjected for chromatographic finger printing and the densitometry was labelled as Track 1 and 2 [Figure 4]a, b. Track 1 showed 8 spots at 254 nm [Figure 4]c and 7 spots at 366 nm [Figure 4]d. Track 2 showed 9 spots at 254 nm [Figure 4]e and 6 spots at 366 nm [Figure 4]f. These observations can be used as reference standards in future studies [Table 5]. | Figure 4: (a) All tracks at 254 nm. (b) All tracks at 366 nm. (c) Track 1 at 254 nm. (d) Track 1 at 366 nm. (e) Track 2 at 254 nm. (f) Track 2 at 366 nm
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 | Table 5: HPTLC profile for unsaponifiable fraction of root of L. sarmentosa
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Heavy metal analysis
There was no detection of lead, arsenic, and mercury, except cadmium (0.5530 ppm).The daily value of cadmium is 0.05-0.2 micrograms/kg body. [11] This is higher than the recommended value. The presence of heavy metal in the sample might be due to the contamination of the soil from which the plant is collected [Table 6].
| Conclusion | | |
L. sarmentosa is a perennial, prostrate, stoloniferous herb rooting at each rosette and exudate white milky latex from its root, leaf, and stem when broken. It's root showed laticiferous cells, calcium oxalate crystals, tannin content, pitted vessels, simple fibers, devoid of pith and contains alkaloids, amino acids, carbohydrates, glycosides, tannin, and steroids.
| References | | |
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6]
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