Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Investigation on Aerial Parts of Evolvulus alsinoides L.: An Ayurvedic Herb

Abstract

Medicinal plants are a rich source of pharmacologically active compounds and are used traditionally by various cultural groups to treat many diseases. Evolvulus alsinoides is an important drug used in Ayurvedic system of medicine. As the medicinal plants are collected by untrained collectors on the basis of Sanskrit or local names, there is a chance of misidentification out of ignorance due to similar vernacular name. Moreover, Shankhpushpi is available as four different plant species. So, Shankhpushpi is often adulterated in the trade by other related/spurious species. Therefore, a reliable authentication method is needed to facilitate differentiation/ identification of the genuine material from its adulterants. To facilitate correct and easy identification of drugs, pharmacognostical studies covering macroscopical, microscopical and physiochemical parameters were studied. The study helped in the standardization of drugs in terms of quality, purity and sample identification.