Comparative pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigation of two plant species valued as medhya rasayanas.
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Date
2011-07
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Abstract
Centella asiatica and Bacopa monnieri widely known as Brahmi are considered as
‘Medhya rasayanas’ in Ayurveda meaning brain tonic. However, these plants are distinctly different. The
name Brahmi, Jala-brahmi or water-brahmi is assigned to Bacopa monnieri whereas "mandukaparni",
often confused with Brahmi, refers to Centella asiatica. A detailed investigation of whole plant and roots
of both the crude drugs was carried out. The diagnostic characteristics includes presence of stomata,
vessels with spiral thickening, rosette crystals of calcium oxalate in Centella asiatica and xylem vessels
with reticulate thickening, glandular hairs, simple, round and oval starch grains, measuring 4-14 μ in
diameter in Bacopa monnieri. Various physicochemical parameters were also established. Phytochemical
screening revealed the presence of many therapeutically important classes of phytoconstituents such as
glycosides, alkaloids, saponins, protiens and carbohydrates. The present work was undertaken to generate
information regarding relevant pharmacognostical, phytochemical and physicochemical data needed for
proper identification and authentification of two crude drugs belonging to two different families, mainly
focusing and exploring the aspects leading to common effect of improving memory.
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Keywords
Brahmi, Mandukaparni, Medhya rasayanas, memory, tonic
Citation
Trivedi Manisha N, Khemani Archana, Vachhani Urmila D, Shah Charmi P, Santani D D. Comparative pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigation of two plant species valued as medhya rasayanas. International Journal of Applied Biology and Pharmaceutical Technology. 2011 Jul-Sept; 2(3): 28-36.