Pharmacognostic Characterization and Phytochemical Screening of Achyranthes Aspera Linn.

D. A. Dhale*, Sonal Bhoi

Department of Botany, SSVPS’s, L.K. Dr. P.R. Ghogrey Science College, Dhule, India.

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.1.1.07

Article Publishing History

Received: 11 June 2013
Accepted: 27 July 2013

Review Details

Plagiarism Check: Yes

Article Metrics

Views     PDF Download PDF Downloads: 5500

Google Scholar

Abstract:

Achyranthes aspera Linn. is a well-known plant drug in Ayurvedic, Unani-Tibbi, Siddha, Allopathic, Homeopathic, Naturopathic & Home Remedies. The present communication deals with the pharmacognostic evaluation on the different parts of Achyranthes aspera Linn. (Amaranthaceae). Macroscopic and microscopic examinations of the different organ, observations  and differential microchemical test has been carried out for the authentication of the samples. Physiochemical values such as the Moisture contents, percentage of total ash, acid insoluble ash, acid soluble ash, extractive values like petroleum ether-soluble extractives, ethanol-soluble extractives, methanol-soluble extractives and water-soluble extractives were calculated as well as colour reactions of powder and extract with different chemicals were performed. The extracts were subjected to qualitative screening test for various constituents. This revealed the presence protein, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and phenolic compound, steroid reducing sugars and saponin glycosides. These observations will help in the Pharmacognostical identification and standardization of the drug in the crude form and also to distinguish the drug from its adulteration.

Keywords:

Achyranthes Aspera, Acanthaceae, Pharmacognosy, Ayurveda, Unani-Tibbi, Homeopathy, Naturopathy

Download this article as: 

Copy the following to cite this article:

Dhale D. A, Bhoi S. Pharmacognostic Characterization and Phytochemical Screening of Achyranthes Aspera Linn. Curr Agri Res 2013;1(1):51-57. doi : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CARJ.1.1.07

Copy the following to cite this URL:

Dhale D. A, Bhoi S. Pharmacognostic Characterization and Phytochemical Screening of Achyranthes Aspera Linn. Curr Agri Res 2013;1(1):51-57. Available from: http://www.agriculturejournal.org/?p=491


Introduction

Botanical Name       :   Achyranthes aspera Linn. Var. aspera

Family                      :   Amaranthaceae

Sunskrit Name         :   Apamargah, Mayoorah, Markatapippalee, Durgrahah.

Marathi Name          :   Aaghada.

Hindi Name              :   Chirchira, Latjira, Onga

English Name           :   Prickly chaff flower.

Botanical Description    

Plants are small, much branched, monoecious perennial subshrub up to 0.8–1×0.8 m. Rootstock stout, woody. Stems somewhat succulent at first, ribbed, becoming basally woody with age, denselycovered in velutinous, appressed hairs. Leaves op-posite, densely clustered toward branch tips 40–50×25–30 mm, spreading to decurved, mostly broadlyovate, ovate-orbicular or elliptic; apex blunt to abruptly sub acute, sometimes very shortly apiculate; base attenuate; lamina somewhat fleshy, purple-grey, veins often purple, abaxial and adaxial surfaces silkycanescent, margins crenulate to crenate. Petioles 5–10mm long, pink, fleshy, velutinous, basal abscis-sion zone present. Inflorescence a terminal erectspike, 150–200mm long; peduncle 15mm long, fleshy, white-villous; spike rachis fleshy, white-vil-lous to purple-villous; flowers bisexual, retrorse, sessile, 180–200 per spike, these spaced initially at 10-mm intervals along rachis, diminishing rapidly to <1-mm intervals toward inflorescence apex. Bract persistent on rachis, ovate to lanceolate 3–3.5×0.5–1mm, strongly retrorse, chartaceous, weakly keelednear apex only, pale white, margins entire, apex acute, sometimes with a small, 0.1–0.2-mm-long pale yellow mucro. Bracteoles 2; abscissing with senescent flowers; broadly ovate, 0.2–1mm long, chartaceous hyaline, lustrous, pale caramel; margins entire; strongly keeled, keel lustrous, caramel brown, extending well beyond bract as a hardened, chan-nelled, strongly recurved, falcate spine 4–5mm long. Perianth segments (sepals) 5, lanceolate, centralportion pale caramel-brown but distinctly pink-tinged, margins pale yellow or off-white opaque, hyaline; segments sub equal, 4.5–6mm, channelled. Stamens 4, connate at base, the filaments 0.5–1mm, alternating with 4 narrowly spathulate, 0.4×0.6 mm, white-hyaline, petaloid, fimbriate-argined pseudo staminodes; anthers 0.4–0.6mm, yellow, bilocular, dehiscing via longitudinal slits; pollen yellow. Style 0.6–1mm, pink to pale orange, aris-ing from a fleshy papillate style base 0.8mm diam.; stigma brown, truncate. Utricle 2–2.5mm long, dark brown, turbinate, chartaceous, surmounted by the dry, somewhat woody, style base. Seed 1.2–1.8×0.9–1.2mm, ovoid to ellipsoid, dark chestnut brown1.

Medicinal Properties and Uses        

Bitter, pungent, heating, laxative, stomachic, carminative, improves appetite, useful in vomiting, bronchitis, vata, heart disease, piles, itching, abdominal pains, ascites, dyspepsia, dysentery, blood disease.2

Achyranthes aspera is widely used for asthmatic cough, snakebite, hydrophobia, urinary calculi, rabies, influenza, piles, bronchitis, diarrhoea, renal dropsy, gonorrhoea and abdominal pain.3-7 A powder of dried leaf mixed with honey is useful in the early stages of asthma.8 One of the drugs from Siddha system of medicine, Naayuruvi kuzhi thailum has A. aspera as the primary constituent is reported to be quite effective in the management of asthma.9

Traditionally, the plant is used in asthma and cough. It is pungent, antiphlegmatic, antiperiodic, diuretic, purgative and laxative, useful in oedema, dropsy and piles, boils and eruptions of skin etc. Crushed plant is boiled in water and is used in pneumonia. Infusion of the root is a mild astringent in bowel complaints. The flowering spikes or seeds, ground and made into a paste with water, are used as external application for bites of poisonous snakes and reptiles, used in night blindness and cutaneous diseases.10

The plant is used in dropsy, piles, skin eruptions, colic, as diuretic, astringent and purgative,11-13 as an antidote to snake bite,14 in fractured bones,15-17 whooping cough, respiratory troubles,18 in asthma,19 laxative4 and in leucoderma.20 The inflorescence is used in cough21 and in hydrophobia.17 Fruit is used in hydrophobia4. The seeds are employed as an emetic, purgative, and cathartic, in gonorrhoea, for insect bite and in hydrophobia,20-22 cough including whooping cough,22 as an anti-asthmatic.22 The leaves are used in wounds, injuries,23 in intermittent fever, as an anti-asthmatic, for urination, dog bite15,17 and in typhoid.21 The root is used in whooping cough, tonsillitis,15,17 Hemorrhage,20 cough and hydrophobia, as an antiasthmatic,15 diuretic, diaphoretic, and antisyphilitic.10

Materials and Methods

The  fresh, healthy, mature  plants  were  collected  from  farm  of Dhule  away  from  pollution. The  plant  materials  were  identified  using  the Flora  of Dhule and  Nandurbar  District23 at  Post–graduate  Department  of  Botany, SSVP  Sansthas, L.K. Dr. P.R. Ghogrey Science College, Deopur, Dhule-(M.S) India and herbariums were also preserved. The leaves, stem and roots were washed and used for the present study. The macroscopic observations of the mature plants, leaves, inflorescences and other parts were noted down. For microscopic studies, some plant material preserved in 70% alcohol. Leaf epidermal studies were carried out on fresh specimens. Peels were removed mechanically using some chemicals. They were stained in 1% safranin mounted in glycerin and made semi-permanent by ringing with DPX solution. Stomatal index (SI), stomal frequency, vein-islet, vein termination number and palisade ratio were calculated as defined by Salisbury.24,25

viz.,

vol1_no1_Achyranthus_f1

Where ‘S’ = number of stomata per unit area and ‘E’ = number of epidermal cells in the same area. . Stomatal index (SI), stomal frequency, vein-islet, vein termination number and palisade ratio have been calculated out of an average of 10 readings.

Transections of leaf, petiole, stem and root were taken by free hand. Fresh and preserved materials were used. Sections were stained in safranin (1 %), light green (1 %) and mounted in DPX after the customary dehydration. Some hand sections were also examined in glycerine. Microphotographs of leaf, petiole, stem and root sections were taken by using DIGI- EYE High resolution Cameras affixed to microscope Olymphus CH 20I.

The fresh, healthy plants were rooted out and washed with water. They were separated as root, stem and leaves and shade dried. The dried plant materials were pulverized into fine powder using a grinder (mixer). About 1 kg of powdered material was prepared. After that powder were kept into air tight bags. Physiochemical values such as the percentage of total ash, acid insoluble ash, acid soluble ash, extractive values like petroleum ether-soluble extractives, etahnol-soluble extractives, methanol-soluble extractives, and water-soluble extractives were calculated according to the methods described in the Indian pharmacopoeia.26,27

Phytochemical studies such as qualitative examination were done on the dried powdered material for this about 5gm of powdered material was extracted in soxhlet extraction apparatus with 250 ml of each of the following solvents; ethanol, methanol, diethyl ether, and chloroform.28 The respected solvents were evaporated (at 40ºC) with the help of heating mantle. Some of the extracts of each solvent were used for the qualitative phytochemical screening for the identification of the various classes of active chemical constituents, using standard prescribed methods.29-32 The positive tests were noted as present (+) and absent (-).

Physiochemical values such as the percentage of total ash, acid insoluble ash, acid soluble ash, extractive values like petroleum ether-soluble extractives, alcohol-soluble extractives and water-soluble extractives were calculated according to the methods described in the Indian pharmacopoeia.33,34

Result and Discussion

The first step towards ensuring quality of starting material is authentication. Thus, in recent years there has been a rapid increase in the standardization of selected medicinal plants of potential therapeutic significance.35,36 Despite the modern techniques, identification of plant drugs by pharmacognostic studies is more reliable. According to the World Health Organization, the macroscopic and microscopic description of a medicinal plant is the first step towards establishing the identity and the degree of purity of such materials and should be carried out before any tests are undertaken. The result of this study as follows:

1. Macroscopic Characters

Plants are erect, woody, tall herb, leaves elliptical, ovet, elliptic lanceolate, 3-6 x 2-3.5cm. membranous, acut or rounded at base silky beneath, flower pale green in terminal, Simple and branched spike  reaching 30cm long  in fruit, utricles at apex, rounded at base, brown. The dried leaves had a characteristics odour and were slightly mucilaginous in taste.

2. Microscopic Characters

2.1. Epidermal Features

The epidermis cells are more or less straight and wavy walled with thick cuticle. The anticlinal epidermal cell walls are straight, arched or sinuous.   The adaxial epidermal cells are large with thin walls as compared to the abaxial epidermal cells. The cells of lower epidermis are wavy walled single layered. Nonglandular trichomes and fglandular trichomes are observed on the surfaces but lower surface possess greater number of trichomes. The Glandular trichomes are with uni to tricellular stalk and unicellular head. The cells on the veins are generally elongated. The cells in the intercostals region are variously oriented. Stomata are present on the adaxial and abaxial surface of the leaf and are densely covered with trichomes. The shape of stomata is generally circular, oval or elliptical in outline. The stomata are anisocytic and anomocytic.

2.2. T. S. of Petiole 

The petiole is crescent shaped in out line. Single layered epidermis composed of thin-walled cubical to oval cells covered with thick cuticle. Stomata are few. Glandular and non- glandular trichomes are common. Epidermis is followed by multilayered hypodermis of collenchyma cells. Hypodermis is followed by wide zone of thin walled parenchymatous cortex containing calcium oxalate crystals. The three vascular bundle has found situated to mid region. Phloem consists of sieve tubes, companion cells and phloem parenchyma and xylem consists of vessels trachids and xylem parenchyma.

2.3. T. S. of Leaf 

The leaf is dorsiventral and hypostomatic. The lamina shows a single layered epidermis on the upper side composed of cubical cells. The upper epidermis shows mostly uni, bi and multicellular hairs. Glandular hairs are rare. The epidermis is followed by a layer of hypodermis which is usually 3-5 layers of cells thick and is interrupted at places by the palisade layer. The cells of lower epidermis are cubical in shape mostly with uni – tricellular trichomes. Three vascular bundles are scattered in ground tissue consisting of thin layered parenchymatous cells. Vascular bundle consists of xylem vessels, trachids and xylem parenchyma, Phloem consists of sieve tubes, companion cells and phloem parenchyma and pericycle. The pericycle is made of 2-3 layers of thick-walled, nonlignified cells.

2.4. T. S. of Stem

A transverse section of stem have wavy cylindrical in outline and shows the presence of both glandular and non-glandular trichomes. Single layered epidermis is covered by thick cuticle; following the epidermis is a band of collenchyma of 4-8 layers of cells. Thin walled cork cells; pericycle a discontinuous ring of lignified fibres. The cortical zone is wide with uniform width, vascular tissues show anomalous secondary growth having incomplete ring of xylem and phloem; cambial strip present between secondary xylem and phloem; vessels helical, spiral and pitted. Starch grains, calcium oxalate crystals of acicular and prismatic types and cystoliths are found abundantly in the region of the stem. The central wide region is pith having oval to polygonal parenchymatous cells.

2.5. T. S. Root  

In sectional view it is circular. Epidermis has small cells compactly arranged. Periderm formation is noted. Cork is 3-5 layered made up of rectangular cells compactly arranged in radial rows. Below it a few layered phelloderm. Ground tissue has phloem fibres, stone cells, oxalate crystals and starch grains. Secondary growth is more. Xylem developed in large amount. Medullary rays of 1-3 rows of cells.

3. Quantitative Microscopy 

The leaf microscopic characters like stomatal frequency, stomatal index, vein islet number, vein termination and palisade ratio were determined (Table 1).

4. Qualitative Phytochemical Screening

The extracts and powder drug were subjected to phytochemical screening for the presences of type of phytoconstituets. The extracts and powder were found to contain protein, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins and phenolic compound, steroid reducing sugars and saponin glycosides (Table 2).

5. Powder Drug with Chemical Reagents

The powder drug with different chemical reagents show different colour when seen on naked eye. (Table 3)

6. Physical Constants

Results of moisture contents, ash analysis and extractive values of the dried stem and root have been presented in Table 4.

Table 1. Table 1: Quantitative microscopy of the leaves of Achyranthes aspera.

Click here to View table
Table 2: Qualitative phytochemical of Achyranthus aspera. Table 2: Qualitative phytochemical of Achyranthus  aspera.

Click here to View table
Table 3: Powder Analysis with Chemical Agents of Achyranthes aspera Table 3: Powder Analysis with Chemical Agents of Achyranthes aspera.

Click here to View table
Table 4: Physical Evaluation (% w/w)of Achyranthes aspera Table 4: Physical Evaluation (% w/w)of Achyranthes aspera.

Click here to View table

 

Conclusion

The present study shows the major pharmacongonstic characters in the selected parts of species A. aspera. The extractive values are useful to evaluate the chemical constituents present in the crude drug and also help in estimation of specific constituents soluble in a particular solvent.37 In the present investigation we observed the high extractive values in ethanol compared to other solvents. The pharmacognostical characters reported in this work can serve as a valuable source of information and provide suitable diagnostic tool for the standardization as well as identification of adulterants in future investigation or application. It will also be immense using carrying out further research and revalidation of its use. The microscopic features could help in laying down micro morphological standards as per WHO guidelines for authentication of the original drug.

Acknowledgments

The author is thankful to the University Grant Commission (WRO, Pune), New Delhi for financial assistance in form of a minor project.

References

  1. Lange P. J. de, R. P. Scofield and T. Greene 2004 Achyranthes aspera(Amaranthaceae) a new indigenous additionto the flora of the Kermadec Islands group, New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2004, Vol. 42: 167–173
    CrossRef
  2. Agharkar S.P (1991), Medicinal plants of Bombay Presidency, Scientific Publication, Jodhpur (India).
  3. Jain S. P, Puri H. S. Ethnomedical plants of Janusar-Bawar hills UttarPradesh, India. J Ethnopharmacol. 1984; 12; 213-222
    CrossRef
  4. John D. One hundred useful raw drugs of the Kani tribes of Trivendrum forest division, Kerala. India, Int J Crude Drug Res. 1984; 22; 17-39
    CrossRef
  5. Singh Y. N. Traditional medicine in Fiji, some herbal folk cures used by Fiji Indians. J Ethnopharmacol. 1986; 15; 57-88
    CrossRef
  6. Reddy M. B, Reddy K. R, Reddy M. N. A survey of plant crude drugs of Anantpur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Int J Crude Drug Res. 1989; 27; 145-155
    CrossRef
  7. Bhattari M. K. Medical ethno botany in the Rapti zone, Nepal. Fitoterapia. 1993; 64; 483- 489
  8. Singh V. Traditional remedies to treat asthma in northwest and Trans Himalayan regions in J. & K. State. Fioterapia. 1995; 56(6); 507-509
  9. Suresh A, Anandan T, Sivanandam G, Veluchamy G. A pilot study of Naayuruvi Kuzhi Thailam in Eraippunoi (bronchial asthma). J Res Ayur Siddha. 1985; 6; 171-176
  10. Nadkarni K.M. “Indian Materia Medica”, 3rd edition reprinted, Bombay Popular Prakashan, 2009, Vol.1, p. 21.
  11. Bhatnagar L. S, Singh V. K, Pandey G. Medico-botanical studies on the flora of Ghaigaon forests, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. J Res Indian Med. 1973; 8; 67-100
  12. Raj K. P. S, Patel M. R. Some medicinal plants of Cambay and its immediate vicinity and their uses in Indian indigenous system of medicine. Indian Drugs. 1978; 15; 145-152
  13. Khanna K. K, Mudgal V, Shukla G, Srivastava P. K. Unreported ethno medicinal uses of plants as aphrodisiac from the folklores of Uttar Pradesh plains, India. Bull Bot Surv India. 1994; 36; 91-94
  14. Elvanayagum Z. E, Gnavanendham S. G, Balakrishna K, Bhima R. R, Usman S. A. Survey of medicinal plants with anti snake venom activity in Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu, India. Fitoterapia. 1995; 66; 488-492
  15. Singh V. K, Ali Z. A. Folk medicines of Aligarh (Uttar Pradesh), India. Fitoterapia. 1989; 60; 483-490
  16. Girach R. D, Aminuddin A, Khan S. A. Ethno medicinal uses of Achyranthes aspera in Orissa (India). Int J Pharmacog. 1992; 30; 113-115
    CrossRef
  17. Anis M, Iqbal M. Medicinal plantlore of Aligarh, India. Int J Pharmacog. 1994; 32; 59-64
    CrossRef
  18. Husain W, Siddiqui M. B. Ethno-botanical approach of North-western U.P. Acta Bot Indica. 1987; 15; 94-97
  19. Reddy M. B, Reddy K. R, Reddy M. N. A survey of medicinal plants of Chenchu tribes of Andhra Pradesh, India. Int J Crude Drug Res. 1988; 26; 189-196
    CrossRef
  20. Pal D. C, Jain S. K, Notes on Lodha medicine in Midnapur district, W. B., India. Econ Bot. 1989; 43; 464-470
    CrossRef
  21. Sebastnia M. K, Bhandari M. M. Medico ethno botany of Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India. J Ethnopharmacol. 1984; 12; 223-230
    CrossRef
  22. Singh V, Pandey R. P. Medicinal plant-lore of the tribals of eastern Rajasthan (India). J Econ Tax Bot. 1980; 1; 137-147
  23. Patil D.A.(2003.) Flora of Dhule and Nandurbar District, Bishen Singh Mahendrapal singh, Dehra Dun (India).
  24. Salisbury, E.J. On the cases & ecological significanc of stomatal frequency with special referances to the wood land flora Phil Trans. Roy, Soc. London, 216: 1, 1927.
  25. Salisbury, E.J. The  interpretation  of  soil  climate  & the  use  of stomatale frequency index  of water reduction to plant ( 1932) Beih. Bot. Zeni-ralb. 49: 408.
  26. Annonymous: Indian Pharmacopoeia. vol. 2.3rd Ed. Govt. of India, Ministry of Health, Controller of Publications, New Delhi, India 1966.
  27. Annonymous: Indian Pharmacopoeia. vol. 2.3rd Ed. Govt. of India, Ministry of Health, Controller of Publications, New Delhi, India.1985; pp. A74 – A75.
  28. Vogel Al.(1988). In: Elementary practical organic chemistry (second edition),Orient Longman Limited, pp.45-168.
  29. Harborne JB. 1984. Phytochemical Methods, Chapman Hall, London ,pp 100-101.
    CrossRef
  30. Trease E and Evans WC. (1987).Pharmacognosy, Billiare Tindall, London.
  31. Ajaiyeoba EO.(2000) Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies of G gynandra and B coriaceae extracts.Afr. J. Biomed.Res.3(3):161-165.
  32. Edeoga HO, Okwu DE and Mbaebie BO (2005). Phytochemical constituents of some Nigerian medicinal Plant. African J. Biotechnology, 4(7): 685-688.
    CrossRef
  33. Annonymous. Indian Pharmacopoeia. vol. 2.3rd Ed. Govt. of India, Ministry of Health, Controller of Publications, New Delhi, India 1966.
  34. Annonymous. Indian Pharmacopoeia. vol. 2.3rd Ed. Govt. of India, Ministry of Health, Controller of Publications, New Delhi, India. pp. A74 – A75 1985.
  35. Thomas S., Patil D.A, Patil A.G, Naresh Chandra: Pharmacognostic evaluation and physicochemical Analysis of Averrhoa carambola L. Fruit Journal of Herbal Medicine and Toxicology 2009; 2(2): 51-54.
  36. Usha Kuamari J., Navas M, Mathew Dan, Rajasekharan S: Pharmacognostic studies on Acrotrema arnottianum Wight – A promising ethnomedicinal plant. Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge 2009; 8(3): 334-337.
  37. Wink, M: A short history of alkaloids. In: Roberts, M.F., Wink, M. (Eds), Alkaloids: Biochemistry, Ecology and Medicinal Applications. Plenum, New York,1998; pp. 11-44.
    CrossRef
scroll to top