Identification of Substitute for Traded Medicinal Plant Vamshalochana (Exudate of Bambusa arundaniaceae Wild.) Using Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical Parameters, Iron Estimation and in silico Investigation

Background

Plants have been major component in medicine in all systems of medicine throughout the centuries. Though there are various plants used in different system of medicine, the availability of the original source has become a question due to deforestation and industrialisation. Vamshalochana (exudate of Bambusa arundinaceae Wild.) in Ayurveda is used in various diseases and in various forms. It is being substituted in market with sodium silicate and ammonium silicate. This has reduced the efficacy of the formulations that are prepared out of these chemicals.

Aims and Objectives

Tugakshiri (Curcuma angustifolia) on the other hand is used as substitute in some places instead of the plant’s original exudate. Hence an analysis on the original and substituted plant phytochemical, physio chemical analysis, iron quantification and in silico analysis will give us a clear picture whether CA can substitute the original drug or not.

Materials and Methods

Market samples were procured followed by Phyto and Physio chemical analysis; Iron estimation of both the plants and in silico analysis was completed on classically indicated two diseases COPD and Menorrhagia.

Results

Preliminary analysis revealed that ash content was higher in BA in comparison to CA. Carbohydrate was present in both. Iron content in both was similar though statistical difference was significant (p=0.02). In in silico analysis, the binding affinity towards the diseases targets was higher in CA when compared to BA.

Conclusion

The study concluded that Tugakshiri (CA) could be a suitable therapeutic substitute for the original source BA. Further evaluation on animals and human participants is required for therapeutic validation.