Comparison of gravimetric method with the colorimetric method for saponin content in safed musli [Chlorophytum borivilianum]

Abstract

Safed musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) is a rare herb from India used in traditional systems of medicine including Ayurveda and Unani. It is generally used for diabetes, arthritis, cancer, improving sexual performance, boosting vitality and many others. Safed Musli is the best known source of saponins. Saponins have many health benefits. Saponins are glucosides with foaming characteristics. Sugars are combined with sapogenins to form the saponins and it is used in the commercial preparation of steroidal hormones. The dry powder of safed musli root was taken for analysis of saponin content. The saponin content was analyzed by two different methods - Gravimetric method and method developed by National Research Centre on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Boriavi, Anand i.e. Spectrophotometric method. The result showed that saponin content was on slightly higher side when estimated by spectrophotometric method.