Pharmacognostical authentication of heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb. - An important drug used in traditional systems of medicine

Abstract

Humans have been using medicinal plants in the treatment of various diseases since prehistoric times. Due to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals, medicinal plants have always been considered as safe and effective treatment of several diseases and ailments. In last two decades, the herbal drug market has increased manifold. Due to constantly increasing demand, there is dire need of standardization of herbal drugs in order to make them safer and more effective. Pterocarpus marsupium is one such large deciduous tree which contains tremendous medicinal values. The heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium was studied through HPTLC fingerprinting and assorted pharmacognostical parameters such as Microscopy, Macroscopy and Physico-chemical analysis. The drug has also been put through multiple quality control parameters such as determination of heavy metals, microbial load, aflatoxins and pesticide residues for thorough assessment of quality of the drug. The data generated can be fruitful for laying down the pharmacopeial standards of heartwood of Pterocarpus marsupium Roxb.