• Anil V Dusane
• P.R. Borkar
• U.R. Manerikar
• Shivani A Dusane

Plumbago zeylanica L., (family: Plumbaginaceae) is a rambling perennial undershrub. This plant is commonly known as ‘Chitraka (Sanskrit)’ and ‘Ceylon Leadwort (English)’. P. zeylanica is the rich source of various phytochemicals viz. alkaloids, steroids, flavones, saponins and tannins. Chitrak is an important indigenous root drug that is frequently used on the treatment of dyspepsia, piles, diarrhoea, skin diseases, leprosy and rheumatism. Roots of Chitrak are reported to possess antibacterial, antifungal and abortifacient properties. Chitrak is used in several herbal formulations including Chitraka swarasam, Chitraka churnam, Chitrakadi Vati, Chitraka ghritam and Chitraka Phantam. In the present investigation exomorphic, anatomical, pharmacognostic, physicochemical and chromatographic (fingerprinting) standards had been evolved for P. zeylanica. The root of this plant has distinct anatomical structure, circular in outline, 4-9 layered cork cells, vessels in a group of 2-8 and distinct single to multilayered medullary rays. The quantitative microscopic studies have shown that vessels and phloem fibres length were 198 µ and 560 µ respectively. The physico-chemical parameters viz. total ash, water soluble ash, acid insoluble and sulphated ash values are recorded as 15.68, 12.14, 3.40 and 6.60 % w/w respectively. The extractive values of root powder with ethanol, chloroform, acetone and water were 9.20, 4.0, 9.10 and 9.20% w/w respectively. The fluorescence pattern serves as an easy and non-destructive parameter in fingerprinting of Chitrak powder. TLC pattern developed using Benzene: Ethyl acetate (4:1) and Chloroform: Methanol (93:7) solvent systems serve as quality control for this valuable drug. The present study is important and lays down parameters for standardization and authentication of medicinal plants. The evaluation of all pharmacognostic parameters such as organoleptic characters, macroscopic study, microscopic study, powder study, physico chemical analysis (moisture content, loss on drying, ash values, extractive values), phytochemical analysis, fluorescence analysis and TLC studies helps in to prevent adulteration and substitution.

Ash values, Plumbago zeylanica, finger printing, quality standards, pharmacognostic standards, physicochemical studies and Thin Layer Chromatography

"Fingerprinting and quality control of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Chitrak) Root", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 12, page no.282-287, December-2018, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1812B38.pdf

"Fingerprinting and quality control of Plumbago zeylanica Linn. (Chitrak) Root", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.5, Issue 12, page no. pp282-287, December-2018, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1812B38.pdf