Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Evaluation of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.)

Abstract

Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.) has long been utilized in traditional medicine for managing various ailments. The entire plant, including its seeds, is known to contain alkaline substances, particularly potash. Numerous chemical constituents have been identified and isolated from different parts of the plant. Although several studies have been conducted on Achyranthes aspera, there remains a lack of a comprehensive review focusing on its pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical, and chromatographic evaluations.AIM AND OBJECTIVE- To conduct a thorough pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical, and chromatographic evaluation of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.).MATERIAL AND METHODS- This study was designed to evaluate Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.) through pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical, and chromatographic analyses to assess its quality, purity, and safety.OBSERVATIONS AND RESULTS- The results obtained from the pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical, and chromatographic assessments were all found to be within the acceptable quality standards.CONCLUSION- The tested sample of Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn.) demonstrated high quality and was confirmed to be pure, safe, and authentic.

Introduction

Apamarga (Achyranthes aspera Linn) is an important medicinal plant in Ayurveda, commonly known as prickly chaff flower and belonging to the Amaranthaceae family. It grows widely in India up to 900 meters elevation and is often found in various habitats including roadsides and fields. The plant is an erect, stiff herb used extensively in traditional medicine, especially its seeds, roots, and shoots.

Scientific Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae

• Family: Amaranthaceae

• Genus: Achyranthes

• Species: aspera

Ayurvedic Properties:

• Rasa (Taste): Katu (pungent), Tikta (bitter)

• Guna (Qualities): Light, rough, sharp

• Virya (Potency): Hot

• Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Katu

• Effects: Pacifies Kapha and Vata doshas, and exhibits properties like scraping (Lekhan), detoxification (Visaghna), wound healing (Vrana Sodhana), digestive stimulation (Dipana-Pachana), and more.

Therapeutic Uses:

Effective in conditions such as skin diseases, poisoning, wounds, ear and eye diseases, digestive issues, heart disorders, anemia, respiratory conditions, urinary problems, and others.

Study Aim:

To comprehensively evaluate Apamarga through pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical, and chromatographic methods.

Methods Summary:

• Sample preparation: Powdered plant material was standardized by particle size.

• Pharmacognostical study: Organoleptic (color, odor, taste) and microscopic analysis using stains like safranin, methylene blue, iodine, etc.

• Physicochemical analysis: Measurement of moisture content, pH, extractive values (water and alcohol soluble), and ash values (total, acid-insoluble, and water-soluble ash).

• Phytochemical screening: Qualitative tests identified carbohydrates, alkaloids, amino acids, proteins, saponins, glycosides, phenolics, steroids, and tannins.

• Chromatographic study (TLC): Alcoholic extracts were analyzed on silica gel plates using a solvent system (Toluene:Ethyl acetate:Formic acid 7:2.5:5) with visualization by iodine vapor and Rf values calculated.

This study aimed to provide a detailed scientific profile of Apamarga to support its traditional medicinal use and ensure quality control.

Conclusion

On the basis of the observations, results and discussions it has been concluded that the present sample of Apamarga [Achyranthes aspera Linn.]is within all the standards of quality. All the Pharmacognostical, Physiochemical, Phytochemical and Thin Layer Chromatography study helped in identification and authentication of the sample of Apamarga [AchyranthesasperaLinn.].

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Swati Goyal, Dr. Manoj Adlaka, Dr. Nitin Verma. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.