Pharmacognostical Studies on Seeds of Argyreia nervosa (Burm. F.) Boj. and its Market Adulteration Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. Ex Corrêa

Background: The seeds of Argyreia nervosa (Burm.f.) Boj. (Syn.: A. speciosa (L.f.) Sweet., Convolvulaceae) is the source of Vriddhadaru of Ayurveda and Samudrappachai of Siddha. The seeds are used in Indian systems of medicine for rejuvenating, as an aphrodisiac, hypotensive, spasmolytic, antidiabetic, antiviral, antifertility, antibacterial and diuretic drug. The dried seeds of Thespesia populnea (L.) Sol. ex Corrêa (Malvaceae) is Parisha/Kapitana according to Ayurveda and Puvarasu in Siddha. The latter is used instead of seeds of A. nervosa due to similar appearance. Objectives: A comparative study has been executed to identify the official source drugs by carrying out Pharmacognostical studies, for dried seeds of A. nervosa and T. populnea. Materials and Methods: The Macro-microscopic characterization and TLC/HPTLC profiling were carried out by appropriate methods published by standard books/Pharmacopoeias. Results: Observations were documented comparatively so that surface characters of testa and embryo; transverse section of testa, cotyledon, radicle and powder microscopy can be used as diagnostic features to differentiate the two sources. The TLC/HPTLC profile of ethanolic extract of two species provides a suitable method for monitoring identity, purity and also standardisation of these drugs in formulations. Conclusion: The results will help in differentiating these plant drugs and authentication/identification of the crude drug/raw drug standardization of the single drug or as a powder form, even when added to a formulation these drugs containing as ingredients.