Article: ANALYTICAL EVALUATION OF AN ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANT BLUMEA LANCEOLARIA (ROXB.) DRUCE: A PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND RASAPANCHAKA BASED STUDY

Article Category: Original Research articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.17260

Pages: 110-117

Author: Jyoti Hajong *, Rosy Gupta

Abstract: Aim: The present study aimed to carry out a comprehensive analytical evaluation of Blumea lanceolaria (Roxb.) Druce, an ethnomedicinal and Anukta Dravya (extrapharmacopoeial) used by tribal communities of Northeast India, through pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical, and chromatographic investigations and to propose its Rasapanchaka. Methods: The whole plant of Blumea lanceolaria was collected from Meghalaya and authenticated by the BSI Shillong. Pharmacognostical evaluation included organoleptic, microscopic and powder microscopy studies. Physicochemical parameters, qualitative phytochemical screening was performed to detect secondary metabolites. HPTLC was carried out for fingerprint profile. Rasapanchaka assessment was attempted using the Taste Threshold Method and Virya assessment based on endothermic and exothermic reaction. Results: Physicochemical evaluation showed low moisture content (3.1%), total ash (16.71%), acid-insoluble ash (4.15%), higher water-soluble extractive (17.04%) than alcohol-soluble extractive (4.08%), and slightly acidic pH (4.52). Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, coumarins, tannins, carbohydrates and proteins. HPTLC fingerprinting displayed distinct spots with Rf values of 0.04, 0.19, 0.21, 0.30, 0.35, 0.48 and 0.62 at 254 nm. Taste threshold analysis revealed predominant Tikta, Katu, and Kashaya Rasa and an exothermic reaction suggested Ushna Virya. Discussion: The analytical findings support the traditional therapeutic claims of the plant and provide scientific parameters for authentication, quality control and standardization. Correlation between phytoconstituents and taste elements further strengthens the Ayurvedic interpretation. Conclusion: The study establishes pharmacognostical standards, phytochemical profile and HPTLC fingerprint of Blumea lanceolaria and proposes its Rasapanchaka. These findings provide a scientific basis for its future inclusion in Ayurvedic pharmacopeial literature after further pharmacological and clinical validation.

Keyword: Blumea lanceolaria, Anukta Dravya, Pharmacognosy, Ethnomedicinal, Extrapharmacopoeial, HPTLC, Rasapanchaka