Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF HARIDRA (CURCUMA LONGA LINN). RHIZOMES

*Debbarma Promod, Saha Suparna, Jini Gerik, Jaiswal Mohanlal

ABSTRACT

Haridra (Curcuma longa Linn.), family Zingiberaceae,very important plant used since long-time in traditional system of medicine in India. It is known as turmeric in English, haridra in Sanskrit. Mentioned as kusthaghna (Skin diseases), pramehaghna (DM), arshaghna (Piles), and vrana ropana (wound healing) properties in different Ayurvedic classical texts. Aims: To establish the pharmacognostical and preliminary phytochemical standard of rhizomes of Haridra which will be helpful to ensure the purity, safety, and efficacy. Meterials & Methods: Various methods including macroscopic, microscopy, physio-chemical contents and phytochemical including quantitative analysis of curcumin were done to determine the diagnostic features for the identification and standardization of intact and powdered drug. Results: The shape, color, odour and surface characteristics were determined for the intact and powdered materials of Haridra. It showed presence of carbohydrate, alkaloids, amino acids, protein, saponin, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, tannins and curcumin in aqueous, methanol and petroleum ether extracts.

Keywords: Pharmacognostic, Standardization, Physicochemical, Phytochemical, Curcuma longa.