Pharmacognostic study and high-performance liquid chromatography finger print profile of herbs of Hridyadashemani

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In Ayurveda, medicinal plants have been organized into various categories based on several parameters. One such classification is based on actions, wherein the therapeutic agents have been categorized into 50 groups. Among these, Hridyadashemani is one that includes the fruits of Amra, Amrataka, Lakucha, Karamarda, Vrukshamla, Amlavetasa, Kuvala, Badara, Dadima, and Matulunga. The objective of this study was to identify and develop preliminary analytical standards for the ten herbs of Hridyadashemani. METHODS: The herbs were collected from their natural habitat and subjected to macroscopic and microscopic evaluation as per standard procedures. The analytical study that includes foreign matter (%w/w), total ash (%w/w), acid insoluble ash (%w/w), alcohol-soluble extractive (%w/w), and water-soluble extractive (% w/w) of the herbs were conducted as per standard pharmacopeial guidelines. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of the herbs for the presence of quercetin and gallic acid were carried out. RESULTS: The macroscopic and microscopic features of the fresh and dried fruits were documented and compared to published literature. The analytical standards were recorded and compared to pharmacopeial standards and published literature. The herbs were found to contain various quantities of quercetin and gallic acid. These phytochemicals may have a potential role in cardiovascular diseases. CONCLUSION: The preliminary analytical findings include HPLC finger print profile which would serve as a monograph for Hridyadashemani. Further studies may be taken up to analyze the use of these herbs in various cardiovascular diseases.