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Introduction: Amorphophallus paeoniifolius and Colocasia esculenta, two aroids used as a source of food possess various medicinal properties too. The present study is aimed at the macro microscopic comparison of these two species. Methods: The fresh rhizomes of the A. paeoniifolius and C. esculenta were collected from Mettur and market respectively. Detailed macroscopy followed by anatomy and powder characters were studied in accordance to standard pharmacopoeial procedures. Results: The two rhizomes differed morphologically; A. paeoniifolius is larger and blackish brown externally while C. esculenta is lighter in colour with concentric rings of leaf scars. The rhizome transverse section also showed difference in number of cork layers (less in A. paeoniifolius). The inner cork cells contained rosette crystals in A. paeoniifolius (absent in C. esculenta). Raphide bundles of acicular crystals are present in A. paeoniifolius (prismatic crystals in C. esculenta). Starch grains both simple and compound were present in both species but the grains in C. esculenta were comparatively smaller when compared to A. paeoniifolius. Mucilage cells are seen in both rhizomes while latex tube was visible only in A. paeoniifolius. These differences were reflected in the powder microscopy of the two species. Conclusion: The outcomes of the paper provides a crisp and concise information about the detailed macro-microscopy of the two aroid medicinal plant materials.

Introduction: C. pictus, known as spiral ginger, an ornamental plant which has its origin in Mexico, but cultivated in Indian state of Kerala. C. speciosus could be collected from its natural habitat, but due to ruthless and indiscriminate collection it is endangered. These species are used in many of the indigenous preparation, mainly known for anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidaemic properties. The current study is an attempt to compare the phytochemical and antioxidant potential of the two species. Methods: Phytochemical test was carried out in order to figure out the constituents present in the two species of Costus. Further antioxidant activity was carried out in ethanolic extracts by DPPH radical scavenging assay and reducing power assay in vitro by standardised chemical methods using ascorbic acid as standard. Preliminary phytochemical tests and WHO recommended parameters of standardisation were performed. HPTLC fingerprinting profile of the leaf was also been carried out. Results: Antioxidant potential of C. speciosus and C. pictus is attributed to mainly phytoconstituents such as tannins, phenols, flavonoids. Both the species showed equally good antioxidant potential, C. speciosus was better radical scavenger in DPPH assay while C. pictus had a better reducing power. Conclusion: The study has provided evidence of good antioxidant in the species of Costus investigated.

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Actinoscirpus grossus (L.f.) Goetgh. & D.A.Simpson (Cyperaceae), is a Perennial with long stolons and rhizomes ending in small tubers. It is popularly known as Kasheruk in Sanskrit. The plant is traditionally used as anti-diarrheal, anti-emetic, and tonic to the liver. In order to do the detail standardization of plant macro-microscopical observation, phytochemical analysis and HPTLC Finger printing of tuber was performed according to pharmacopoeia procedure. Microscopic analysis has showed thick-walled polygonal epidermal cells of young root stalk in surface view, elongated phloem parenchyma filled with starch grains, spiral to annular vessel fragments and simple starch grains scattered all over the powder. Phytochemical analysis showed presence of carbohydrate, coumarins, flavanoids, steroid, tannin, and terpenoid. Ethanol extract of plant were fingerprinted in toluene: ethyl acetate (7:3). The developed plates were visualized in UV 254, 366, and then derivatised with vanillin sulphuric acid and scanned under UV 254 and 366 nm. These specific identities will be useful in identification and authentication of the raw drug.

Introduction: Apamargakshara (AK) is an alkali extracted from the water soluble ash of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.) Panchanga (whole plant) and used as one of the major ingredient in the Kshara Sutra Nirmana, which is mainly used for treating Arshas and Bhagandara also has wide therapeutic uses in Shwasaroga, Udarashoola, Shwitra, Ashmari, Karnaroga etc. But, the typical processing technique involved in the preparation of kshara differs according to various authors, by the ratio of water added to ash, soaking time, folds of cloth and number of times of filtration. In the present study preparation of AK was performed as per 5 different methods and analytical study was carried out. Methods: AK was prepared according to different references like Ayurveda Sara Sangraha (sample A), Rasa Tarangini (sample B), Sharangadhara Samhita (sample C), Ayurveda Prakasha (sample D), Sushruta Samhita (sample E) followed by analytical standardisation employing tests like oganoleptic, physico-chemical and elemental analysis. Result: Sample A fulfills the standards criteria, pH value-strongly alkaline in all samples, whereas akanity was more in sample A, SEM-EDAX results revealedpresence of other components i.e CaCO3, SiO2, Na (Albite), K (KCl) and Ca (wollastonite) and most of the compounds are highest in sample A. Conclusion: Considering alkalinity, quality and economy method prescribed in Ayurveda Sara Sangraha could be considered as better among the five methods.

Introduction: Kshara Kalpana is one of the prominent and widely practiced dosage form of Ayurveda. Varied descriptions regarding the method of preparation are available in different classics. Sushruta Samhita mentions the use of either Jala or Gomutra as the solvent. With these facts in place the present study was conducted to find the differences between the two samples. The aim of the study was to prepare two samples of Apamarga Kshara in presence of Jala (AKJ) and Gomutra (AKG) respectively and to do the physico-chemical analysis of the two samples. Methods: The preparation of AKJ and AKG samples were carried out by following the method as mentioned in Sushruta Samhita. Two samples were analysed on parameters like organoleptic characters, loss on drying, total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble ash, pH, water soluble extractive and alcohol soluble extractive. Results: The loss on drying value for AKJ and AKG were 10.63% and 4.54% respectively. Total ash values of AKJ and AKG were 93.21% and 80.54% respectively. Both the samples had pH value of 10 and 100% water soluble extractive value. The values for alcohol soluble extractive for AKJ and AKG were 2.425 and 15.47% respectively. The results obtained from the study showed that both the samples have peculiar characteristics which are in accordance with the properties of Kshara. Conclusion: The study proved that pharmaceutical processing of the raw drugs imparts characteristic properties to the formulation which are evident by the physico-chemical analysis of the two samples.