COMPARATIVE HISTOLOGICAL, HISTOCHEMICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF THE RAW DRUG JIVANTI FROM DIFFERENT RAW DRUG MARKETS OF KERALA

摘要

Jivanti is considered a stimulant and tonic in Ayurvedic literature. Its medicinal use dates back to about 4500 to 1600 BC, as mentioned in classical texts. Holostemma ada- kodien and Leptadenia reticulata are the two plants used in Ayurveda as source plants of the drug Jivanti. Roots of these plants are used in several Ayurvedic preparations. Though Ayurvedic Formulary of India mentions Leptadenia reticulata as the source plant of Jivanti, throughout Kerala and mostly in South India, Holostemma ada- kodien is used as source plants of Jivanti and there are reports regarding adulteration in market samples, which will adversely affect the quality of medicines prepared. Till now there is no significant study to compare the source plants available in markets as Jivanti. Present work is a comparative histological, histochemical and phytochemical study of the raw drug Jivanti from different raw drug markets of Kerala. This is a first time approach to develop quality control measures with the help of histological, histochemical and phytochemical tools.