Physicochemical and phytochemical standardization of berries of Myrtus communis Linn.

Abstract

Purpose:Herbal medicines are gaining more and more attention all over the world due to their long historical clinical practice and less side effects. The major limitation with herbal medicines is that the lack of standardization technique. Initially, the crude drugs were identified by comparison only with the standard description available.Materials and Methods:Standardization of drugs means confirmation of its identity and determination of its quality and purity. The quality control standards of various medicinal plants, used in indigenous system of medicine, are significant nowadays in view of commercialization of formulations based on medicinal plants. The quality of herbal drugs is the sum of all factors, which contribute directly or indirectly to the safety, effectiveness, and acceptability of the product. Lack of quality control can affect the efficacy and safety of drugs that may lead to health problems in the consumers. Standardization of drugs is needed to overcome the problems of adulteration and is most developing field of research now. Therefore, there is an urgent need of standardized drugs having consistent quality.Results:The drug showed the presence of phyto-chemical constituents. Powdered drug was treated with different reagents and examined under UV light. Different reagents showed different colors of the drug at 2 wavelengths. The percentage of physiological active compounds viz. total phenolics, tannins, volatile oil, fixed oil, and alkaloids were also observed.Conclusion:Myrtus communis L. (Family: Myrtaceae) is one of the important drug being used in Unani system of medicine for various therapeutic purposes. In this study, an attempt has been made to study berries of M. communis from physico-chemical and phytochemical standardization point of view.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Polyphenols from Myrtus communis L. Pericarp

“…Regarding galloyl derivatives (typical UV max at 273–276 nm), these enclosed esters of mono- or di-galloyl groups with a hexose or quinic acid unit, or even with myrtucommulone-type groups. In detail, the compound eluted in Peak 2 with a [M-H] − at m/z 331 and corresponding fragments at m/z 271, 169, 241, 211, 193 and 125, was assigned to a galloyl hexoside [53], presumably galloyl-3- O-β -D-galactoside-6- O -gallate, since this latter has been previously reported in M. communis leaves [2,38]. Besides, two isomers of galloyl quinic acid ([M-H] − at m/z 343→191, 169, 125) could be found in Peaks 3 and 5, while a digalloyl hexoside ([M-H] − at m/z 483→271, 331, 313, 439, 193, 169) and digalloyl quinic acid ([M-H] − at m/z 495→343, 325, 191, 169) were detected as co-eluted compounds in Peak 6.…”

“…Its fruits are consumed either raw or processed in diverse products such as canned fruits, yogurts, beverages, jams and jellies. In addition, there has been a growing interest in the use of berry extracts as ingredients in functional foods and dietary [2]. Volatile oils, tannins, anthocyanins, fatty acids, sugars, and organic acids such as citric and malic acids are important components of these fruits [3].…”

Extracts from Myrtle Liqueur Processing Waste Modulate Stem Cells Pluripotency under Stressing Conditions

“…Within these contexts, finding a natural product able to counteract senescence in stem cells and restore their regenerative potential could have a great impact in the interventions for age-related diseases. Berries of Myrtus communis L. (Myrtaceae), an evergreen spontaneous shrub, typical of the Mediterranean areas, contain a large amount of bioactive polyphenols [31, 32], mainly anthocyanins [33–35], and have long been known for anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antimicrobial properties [36]. In Sardinia, Myrtus communis is commonly used in the food industry, for the production of sweet liqueur obtained by hydroalcoholic extraction of the berries [37], to which follows the production of large quantities of residues (about 30.000 Kg/year) and waste material.…”

Zarawand Mudharaj (Aristolochia rotunda Linn.), an important medicinal plant used in Unani system of medicine: A review

“…The ash value is an imperative parameter to detect adulterants and to confirm the purity of any drug. 55 Extractive values determine the presence of the active constituents 56 and further indicates the quality and purity of the drug. 57 A less extractive value in any plant drug may be due to exhausted material, adulteration, improper drying and storage.…”