Phyto- pharmacognostic Analysis Of Ayurvedic Medicine Bala (Sida Cordifolia Linn.)

Abstract

Bala (Sida cordifolia Linn.), of Family Malvaceae is very important plant since long in traditional medicine of  India. The drug is given various vernacular names i.e. Kharethi (Hindi), Baladana (Gujarati), Chikana (Malayalam)  and Simaka (Panjabi) etc. the drug is attributed Balya, Kantikarka, Grahi, Vrishya, Ojhovardhaka, Stambhana,  Brihmana, Sothahara, Rasayana and Hridya properties in different Ayurvedic classical texts. So, to evaluate the  pharmacognostic and preliminary phytochemical standards of whole plant of Bala various methods including  microscopy, physio-chemical contents and phytochemical estimation including quantitative analysis were done to  determine the diagnostic features for the identification and standardization of intact and powdered drug. The  organoleptic examination of the intact and powdered materials of whole plant of Bala revealed greenish yellow  colour, odourless odour and slightly bitter taste. It showed presence of carbohydrate, alkaloids, amino acids, protein,  saponin, and tannins in aqueous and methanol extracts. This study will be helpful to ensure the purity, safety and  efficacy of the drug.