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Research Journal of Botany

Year: 2007 | Volume: 2 | Issue: 3 | Page No.: 161-164
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Authors

Mohd. Nawagish

S.H. Ansari

Shoaib Ahmad

Keywords

Research Article

Preliminary Pharmacognostical Standardisation of Lawsonia inermis Linn. Seeds

Mohd. Nawagish, S.H. Ansari and Shoaib Ahmad
Commonly known as Henna or Mehndi, Lawsonia inermis Linn. (Lythraceae) is an important medicinal plant of Indian Systems of medicine. Henna leaf powder is used for staining hair, nails and beard. Seeds have been reported to possess deodorant action and are used in cases of menorrhagia, vaginal discharge and leucorrhoea. Few phytochemical studies have been carried out on seeds. However, there has been no report on standardisation of henna seeds. In view of the ethnopharmacological use, preliminary pharmacognostical standardisation of L. inermis seeds was carried out. In the present investigation, seeds had typical pyramidal shape and dark brown in color. The average dimensions of the seed were 1.51 mm (thickness) X 2.202 mm (length) X 1.887 mm (width). The powder was odorless and tasted slightly bitter. The transverse section of seed showed 2 or 3 layered yellowish brown testa, thick endosperm and a small embryo. Successive extractive value was highest in case of aqueous extract. Mean ash values (%) were 3.056 (total), 0.76 (acid insoluble ash) and 0.84 (water soluble ash). Loss on drying was 9.09%. The average pH of aqueous extract was 7.04. Seeds had a bitterness value of 125, foaming index 1080 (units/g), resins (5.53%) and fixed oil content (1.429%). Screening of alcoholic and aqueous extracts indicated the presence of carbohydrates, protein, phenolic and triterpenoids. Preliminary TLC finger prints of the seed extracts were also developed.
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