Pharmacognostic Characterisation of E. thymifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) a Unani Medicinal Herb

Author: Sameera Ahrar Ahmad and Prabha Yadao Bhogaonkar

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Abstract

Government of India recognized the traditional systems of medicine and practices like Siddha, Yoga, Homeopathy, Unani and Ayurveda. Unani system of medicine is followed and adopted in many countries. Minerals and plants are used as a source of medicine in this system. In spite of many merits and sustainable effects, Unani folk medicine is losing its charm in this modern world of synthetic medicine which offers instant relief but has many side effects. However, in case of traditional/folk medicine, proper characterization of the plant concerned remains the goal for effective therapy. The present study was aimed to characterize Euphorbia thymifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) used in folk medicinal system and tradition. It is known as Dudhi locally and Dudhi Khurd in unani. The plant is used by hakims to treat diseases like kidney stone, leprosy, menorrhagia, leucorrhaea and whitlow in Amravati district, Maharashtra. Here pharmacognostic studies of the herb has been done. To know the presence of various bioactive molecules, free amino acid composition and minerals, phytochemical analysis were made. Anatomy of all the plant parts is studied as it is necessary to authenticate the drug. Use and information of internet was not common during my research as it is today and so searching for the related paper was hectic. Different libraries were visited, searched journals and books for the information. The major work done was on anatomy and so many plants were like no information was available about the anatomical studies and that too of the whole plant. Still don’t saw any paper on anatomical studies of whole plant. Leaf morphology was done only by some. So I did the anatomical study of whole plant and can say that its done for the first time.

Keywords

Euphorbia thymifolia L., Folk Medicinal herb, Pharmacognosy, Morphology, Anatomy, Phytochemistry

Conclusion

As the papers are surveyed it is found that anatomical work is not done of whole plant of E. thymifolia L. so it can be considered as the first time work on anatomy of whole plant. A good amount of phytochemical analysis is available about E. thymifolia. The detailed survey of literature showed that E. thymifolia L. is an important medicinal plant with many pharmacological spectrum. Lots of pharmacological studies have been carried out with extract of the different parts of the plant. The present paper found different references which summarizes about its analgesic, antimalarial, antimicrobial and hypoglycemic activity of E. thymifolia, phytochemical investigations and isolated principles from them, which can be investigated further to achieve lead molecules in the search of novel herbal drugs. The presence of medicinal properties makes enormous scope for future. Alkaloids are very important of known bioactive molecules. It also contains triterpenes along with alkaloids. Leucoanthocyanin is found in E. thymifolia. Many of the Euphorbia species are woody and therefore it is possible that this species though herbaceous, is also showing presence of leucoanthocyanin which is expected only in woody members. A cubins and iridoids, flavonoids, phenolics, steroids and triterpenoids are present. Protein free amino acid profile shows aspartic acid, tyrosine, apsergenine, dl –alanine, histidine, proline, valine, leucine. Quantitative analysis shows maximum amount of Calcium and minimum of sodium.

References

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How to cite this article

Sameera Ahrar Ahmad and Prabha Yadao Bhogaonkar (2023). Pharmacognostic Characterisation of E. thymifolia L. (Euphorbiaceae) a Unani Medicinal Herb. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 236-241.