Pharmacognostical comparison and standardization of the wild and cultivated rhizomes of Rheum australe (Padamchal) of Nepal

Abstract

The aims of present work are quality comparison and standardization of the rhizomes of Rheum australe (synonym R. emodi) of Nepal. The rhizomes of two wild and one cultivated varieties were collected from the Himalayan region. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses, phytochemical screening, fluorescence analysis, physicochemical analysis and determination of nutritive values in the rhizome samples were carried out. Calcium oxalate crystals and starch grains were found to be deposited in the samples. Terpenoids, fatty acids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, polyphenols, glycosides, carbohydrates and saponins were the major phytochemical constituents. Elemental analysis revealed the presence of K, Na, Fe and Mn, and absence of Cd, Cr and Cu. Values of total fat (1.78-4.22%), carbohydrate (24.95-30.40%) and flavonoid (2.77-2.97 g QE/100 g DM) contents in both wild and cultivated samples were nearly close, while a low phenolic content (102.82 mg GAE/100 g DM) was estimated in the rhizomes of cultivated variety compared to that of wild varieties (738.00-766.52 mg GAE/100 g DM).