Phytochemical

The Harbone method of extraction was used in the extraction of Urena Lobata roots. The crude extracts were separated using TLC. Result of the phytochemical screening showed the presence of saponins, cardiac glycosides, and tannins. The pure chloroform extract of the roots of Urena lobata and that of ethyl acetate were analyzed using spectroscopic instruments; Fourier Transform Infra-red(FTIR), UV-Visible, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), and GC-MS. Combination of the results from these analysis suggested the compounds Phathalic acid, dibutylglycolate (C18H24O6) for the  chloroform extract and  1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, 2-methylpropyl, 3- methylbutyl ester (C17H24O4 ) for ethyl acetate extract as the active compounds. These compounds are phthalates which are known to have antimicrobial properties. Antimicrobial analysis carried out on the extracts and the chloroform extract showed very high sensitivity to the test organisms: Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albican; S. aureus, E. coli, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus species, Bacillus species, Pseudomonas pyocyania and Klebsiella aerogenes.

Arishtas are one of the most important traditional Ayurvedic formulations claimed to be beneficial for various ailments. The present investigation evaluated two well known Arishtas available in the market, Arjunarishta [Parthadyarishta] and Dashamularishta with respect to various physico-chemical parameters, active phytochemical groups and microbiological quality parameters.  Additionally, a simple and rapid Thin Layer Chromatographic (TLC) fingerprinting was developed for both Arjunarishta and Dashamularishta for evaluation of quality as well as to check batch to batch consistency.