• Parvathy S. Nair
• RAJESH V

Kokilāksha (Astercantha Longifolia Nees. Syn. Hygrophila Spinosa T. Anders), an annual herb of the Acanthaceae family, is widely used in Ayurveda and other traditional Indian medical systems for its diverse therapeutic applications. The whole plant of Kokilaksha has been traditionally used in Ayurveda to manage a variety of conditions, including inflammatory disorders, urinary problems, and sexual health issues. Āchāryas have highlighted the versatile use of, recommending it both as a Kashaya (water-based decoction) for its medicinal benefits and as a Śāka Bhojana (vegetable) for its nutritional value in daily diet. The present research is undertaken to evaluate the phytochemical profile of the methanolic extract of crushed whole plant and its Kashaya (aqueous decoction/aqueous extract) using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) at 254 nm and 366 nm. Results reveal that the methanolic extract of the crushed herb exhibits a richer and more diverse chromatographic profile than the methanolic extract of its water extract /decoction (Kashaya).This distinction underscores a fundamental Ayurvedic principle: therapeutic efficacy is not reliant on the complete phytochemical profile of a plant, but rather on the targeted extraction of specific bioactive constituents according to the disease. Thereby, Ayurvedic medicines are formulated in alignment with the pathogenesis of a disease with careful selection of ingredients and preparation methods that precisely target the disease process.

kokilaksha, HPTLC,kashaya, phytochemicals,methanolic extract

"HPTLC fingerprinting of methanolic extract of Kokilaksha (Astercantha longifolia nees. syn. Hygrophila spinosa t. anders) in crushed and water extract form: a comparative study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 7, page no.h522-h531, July-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2507769.pdf

"HPTLC fingerprinting of methanolic extract of Kokilaksha (Astercantha longifolia nees. syn. Hygrophila spinosa t. anders) in crushed and water extract form: a comparative study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 7, page no. pph522-h531, July-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2507769.pdf