Development of quality control parameters for the standardization of bark of Ficus arnottiana Miq. (M)

Ramandeep Singh, Ashraf Ali, G. Jeyabalan, Yogesh Kumar, Alok Semwal

1Department of Pharmacy, Sunrise University, Alwar, Rajasthan, India

2Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Institute of Pharmacy, Paonta Sahib (H.P)

Development of quality control parameters for the standardization of bark of Ficus arnottiana Miq. (M)

Ramandeep Singh1*, Ashraf Ali1, G. Jeyabalan1, Yogesh Kumar1, Alok Semwal2

1Department of Pharmacy, Sunrise University, Alwar, Rajasthan, India

2Department of Pharmacy, Himachal Institute of Pharmacy, Paonta Sahib (H.P)

Standardization

Phytochemical analysis

Ficus arnottiana

TLC

Objective: To develop a novel standardization technique, which can pave the way for rapid determination of different phytoconstitutents of Ficus arnottiana (F. arnottiana). Miq. (Moraceae). From extensive literature survey it was revealed that no reports were available on, standardization parameters of F. arnottiana Miq. Methods: Phytochemical test, TLC analysis, foreign matter, Ash values, swelling index, foaming index, fluorescence analysis, determination of pH, extractive value, moisture content, microbiological analysis and crude fibre content were performed in the present investigation for the quality control of the drug. Results: Thus it was thought worthwhile to explore this endangered plant on the basis of its standardization parameters. Alkaloids, saponins, steroid, flavanoids and tannins were found to be present in F. arnottiana Miq. extracts. Ash value, acid insoluble ash value, water insoluble ash value, pH determination, Swelling index, foaming index and loss on drying were found to be 2.44%w/w, 0.32%w/w, 1.93%w/w, 8.29, (3.50± 0.23), 1 cm, 11.6%w/w. The study will provide referential information for the correct identification of the crude drug. Conclusion: These physicochemical data and phytochemical analysis of different extracts of F. arnottiana Miq is useful for further studies for pharmacological screening. In future this study will be helpful for qualitative & quantitative analysis of phytoconstitutes for isolation of newer molecule from F. arnottiana Miq.

1. Introduction

Ficus arnottiana (F. arnottiana) Miq. is a glabrous tree belonging to family Moraceae also known as Paras pipal. It is distributed throughout India; mostly in rocky hills 1 350 m elevations[1]. The leaves of the plant are used for controlling fertility. Bark of the plant is used as astringent, aphrodisiac, demulcent, depurative, emollient.

It is also useful in inflammation, diarrhea, diabetes, burning sensation, leprosy, scabies, wounds and skin diseases. The fruits of the plant contain β -sitosterol, gluanol acetate, glucose, friedelin[2].

Though the plant and its extracts have been used in the folk medicine extensively, but noscientific evidence for such activities is available in established scientific journals of repute.

1.1. Classification of F. arnottiana Miq.

Kingdom: Plantae

Division: Magnoliophyta

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Subclass: Rosidae

Order: Rosales

Family: Moraceae

Genus: Ficus L.

Species: arnottiana

Botanical name: F. arnottiana

1.2. Vernacular name

Hindi: Paras, pipal, paraspipal

Sanskirt: Parisah, Plaksa, Plasksha, kapithanah

Tamil: Kallaraci, Kallasasu, Kodi Arasu, Tanavan

Telegue: Kallaravi, Kanda, Ravi

Malayalam: Kallal, Kallarayal

English: Crown (Ceylon)[3]

2. Material and methods

2.1. Plant material

The Plant material F. arnottiana Miq. (bark) was collected from Balawala, Dehradun (U.K.), India and identified by the Botanist Dr. Veena Chandra, Department of botany, F.R.I, Dehradun (U.K.) India. The bark is separately dried in shade and preserved in air tight container.

2.2. Plant extracts, chemicals and reagents

The bark was extracted successively with petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, Methanol and water. All the extracts thus obtained and kept in desicators for future use. All the other chemical and reagents used in this study are analytical grade.

2.3. Development of standard analytical parameters

Macroscopical Evaluation, Microscopic studies, Physical parameters such as Foreign matter, Ash values, Swelling index, Foaming index, Fluorescence analysis, Determination of pH, Extractive value, Moisture content, Microbiological analysis, Heavy metal analysis and Crude fibre content were performed according to the standatd official methods[4,5].

Total phenolic content of F. arnottiana Miq. were also determined. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of F. arnottiana Miq. extracts were done according to the standard official methods. Thin layer chromatography analysis was done according to the standard protocol[6-8].

3. Results

Organoleptic study revealed the presence of Buff brown colour, stimulant odour and astringent taste and fibrous texture of F. arnottiana Miq bark. Microbial content of dried bark was found to be (146.0±7.2) for bacterial and (24.0±2.3) fungal colony grown on nutrient medium containing F. arnottiana Miq bark. pH of 1% and 10 % solution of dried bark of plant was found to be 8.29 & 6.88 respectively. Swelling index of dried bark of plant was found to be (3.50±0.23). Foaming index of the dried bark of plant was found to be 100 because height of foam in eachtest tube is less than 1 cm. Loss in weight of drying was found to be 11.6%w/w. Crude fibre content of dried bark of plant was found to be 2.89%w/w.

Table 1Fluorescence nature of Bark powder under ultra violet (UV) radiations.

Table 2Ash values of F. arnottiana Miq. Bark.

Table 3Showing the yield and characteristics of F. arnottiana Miq. Bark.

Table 4Phytochemical investigation of various extracts of F. arnottiana Miq. Bark.

Table 6Macroscopical characteristics of F. arnottiana Miq. Bark.

Table 7TLC data of various extracts of F. arnottiana Miq. Bark.

All the foreign organic and inorganic matters are absent in the dried plant material. In florescence analysis we treat the bark powder with different reagent and observe them under normal and UV light. The results of florescence analysis & ash value was shown in Table 1 & 2. Percentage Yield and physical characteristics and phytochemical investigation (qualitative chemical analysis) of various extracts F. arnottiana Miq. bark are shown in Table 3 & 4. Total Fat and Alkaloid content in the plant bark was found to be 2.71% w/w and 8.62%w/w.

Volatile content in F. arnottiana Miq bark was found to be absent. TLC analysis of F. arnottiana Miq bark showing the solvent systems and detectingagents in Table 5. Macroscopical characteristics of F. arnottiana Miq bark are shown in Table 6. The results of Heavy metal analysis of F. arnottiana Miq was found to be Arsenic, Cadmium & Lead 0.714 3, 0.006 6 and 0.063 6 ppm respectively

4. Discussion

Pytochemicals have been used for the treatment and prevention of various health ailments from time immemorial. A large percentage of the drugs prescribed worldwide are derived from plants and 121 such active compounds are in use.

WHO essential medicine list contain large number of drug from plant origin. Physicochemical standards were generally used for deciding the identity, purity and strength of the drug source. These parameters were also used to detect the adulterants if present in the plant material[9,10].

Macroscopic Evaluation, Microscopic studies, Physical parameters such as Foreign matter, Ash values, Swelling index, Foaming index, Fluorescence analysis, Determination of pH, Extractive value, Moisture content, Microbiological analysis, Crude fibre content, Total phenolic content, Preliminary phytochemical analysis, Thin layer chromatography and heavy metal detection can be used as reliable aid for detecting adulteration.

These are simple, but reliable standards will be useful to a layperson in using the drug as a home remedy. Effective formulations have to be developed using indigenous medicinal plants, with proper pharmacological experiments and clinical trials. The manufacture of plant products should be governed by standards of safety and efficacy.

In future, these characters are also used to check the genuine nature of the crude drug, thus it plays an important role in preventing the possible steps of adulteration.

So finally we concluded that these physicochemical data and phytochemical analysis of different extracts of F. arnottiana Miq is useful for further studies of pharmacological parameters.

Conflict of interest statement

We declare that we have no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Acknowledgment

Authors’ expressed their deep sense of gratitude to the Director, Himachal Institute of Pharmacy, Paonta Sahib (H.P) for providing support to the study and other necessary facility to carry out research project.

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[9] Dinesh K. Patel, Kanika Patel, S. P. Dhanabal. Development of quality control parameters for the standardization of Gymnema sylvestre. J Acute Dis 2012; 1(2): 141-143.

[10] Amit Chawla, Payal Chawla, Neeru Vasudeva, Surendra K. Sharma, US Baghel. Pharmacognostic standardization of the stem of Aerva persica (Burm.f) Merrill (Amaranthaceae). J Med Plants Res 2013; 7(11): 637-644.

ment heading

10.1016/S2221-6189(13)60130-4

23 April 2013

*Corresponding author: Ramandeep Singh, Department of Pharmacy, Sunrise University, Alwar (Rajasthan) India.

Tel: +91-9736922900

E-mail: ramandeep_pharma@yahoo.com

ARTICLE INFO

Article history:

Received in revised form 25 April 2013

Accepted 29 April 2013

Available online 20 September 2013