Abstract

A COMPARATIVE PHARMACOGNOSTICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF RICINUS COMMUNIS LINN. SEEDS W.S.R. TO AGRO-CLIMATIC ZONES

*Dr. Rakesh Kumar Patidar

ABSTRACT

Background and objectives: Ricinus communis Linn.(Eranda) is a widely described plant since ancient time. It is generally used in diseases like pain, inflammation, paralysis, constipation etc. It is also a content in many medicinal and herbal preparation. The drug Ricinus communis Linn. due to its effect and action need to be standardized and it is a need of present era where modern drugs are also standardized. The herbal drug standardization includes proper authentication, place and season of collection etc. Among above mentioned factors, place of collection plays an important role in the standardization of the drug. In Ayurveda, the Sages mentioned the concept of Desha (Agro-climatic zone) and its effect over the potency of the drug. Hence in this study, Ricinus communis Linn. Seeds collected from three different agro climatic zones or habitat is studied for their phamacognostic and phyto-chemical differences and compared to each other to detect the maximum potency. Materials and methods: For the current study botanically identified Ricinus communis Linn. (Eranda) seeds were collected from three different habitats, dried and stored properly for their organoleptic characters, physico-chemical, phyto-chemical and chromatographic studies were conducted. Results: Macroscopic study of all three samples shows difference in color, surface and size with minimum difference in odour. Microscopic study of seed of dry climatic area contains higher oil globules. Phyto-chemical analysis of all samples shows the total ash contains of dry climatic area was more than other. Wet climatic area sample moisture contains was more and low water soluble extractive values. Water soluble and alcohol soluble extractive values were higher in dry climatic area seed sample. Chromatographic analysis shows dry climatic area sample contains more amount of fixed oil. Interpretation and conclusion: The results of all these seed samples of Ricinus communis Linn. collected from dry climatic area is found to be superior to other samples on the basis of pharmacognostic, phyto-chemical and chromatographic parameters.

Keywords: Ricius Communis, Eranda, Agro climatic zone, Phyto-chemical.