Abstract

PHYSICOCHEMICAL & PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF SHIRISH AND SHLESHMATAK

Indermani* and Jhunjhunwala Amita

ABSTRACT

As per Ayurvedic classics “no herb in the earth is devoid of medicinal properties”. In many Ayurvedic texts it is mentioned to use Shirish and Shleshmatak for various therapeutic purposes like Kustha (skin diseases), Prameha (diabetes), Swas roga (bronchial asthma), Vranapaha (wound healer), Sothhara (anti-inflammatory),Visarp and many more. Acharya Charak has mentioned Shirish and Shleshmatak in vishghan mahakashaya. (anti-toxic). Aim- Phytochemical & Physicochemical analysis through standardization of Shirish and Shleshmatak. Material & Method- Shirish and Shleshmatak was prepared and its physicochemical and phytochemical testing & standardization was done by following the standard protocols. Results-Shirish was evaluated for different standardization parameters which showed Loss on drying (8.65%), Total ash (6.52%), Acid insoluble ash (2.15%), Water soluble ash (4.82%) and Alcohol soluble Extractive (16.59%). Molish test positive in alcoholic and aqueous extract, Dragendorff test and Wagner‟s test in Aqueous extract positive for alkaloids etc. Shleshmatak was evaluated for different standardization parameters which showed Loss on drying (9.85%), Total ash (5.95%), Acid insoluble ash (1.95%), Water soluble ash (4.19%) and Alcohol soluble Extractive (18.62%). Ninhydrin test positive in Aqueous extract for amino acids. Biuret test positive in alcoholic extract for protein etc. Conclusion-In Ayurveda, if every plant is used with a yukti it opens up new dimensions for humanity. Every plant is the gift of nature which can used for the well-being of mankind but this can only be done when we are well aware of its physicochemical and phytochemical properties. This paper highlights organoleptic characters and constituent of widely used plant Shleshmatak and Shirish and the data developed from the study can be espoused for allocating the standards for Shirish and Shleshmatak.

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