A Comparative Analysis of Churna and Ksheerapaka of Dried Root of Prishniparni- Desmodium Gangeticum (Linn.) DC. through High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography.

Abstract

High Performance thin layer chromatography has become a potent analytical  technique in the process of drug discovery. It serves as a tool for identification,  authentication and quality control of herbal drugs due to its reliability and  simplicity. Prishniparni -Desmodium gangeticum (Linn.) DC. is a significant and  well-known drug expoundly discussed in the Ayurvedic classics. It is an erect  diffusely branched undershrub with enriched therapeutic potential. The plant root  is rich in flavonoids, iso flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, pterocarpans, alkaloids and steroids which accounts for its multiple beneficial action in the therapeutics. It has  strong antioxidant and cardioprotective properties. The churna (powder) and  ksheerapaka (milk decoction) of dried root of Prishniparni was subjected to High  Performance thin layer chromatography and comparative analysis of different  peaks were obtained. The results suggest that change in phytochemical constituents  and their quantity occur on changing the Kalpana (dosage form) from churna (powder) to ksheerapaka (milk decoction).