Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

Introduction

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian system of medicine, uses a wide range of medicinal plants, each with unique properties and uses. Medicinal plants are the heart and soul of Ayurveda, providing a natural, holistic, and personalised approach to health and well-being. This integration of ancient wisdom with modern understanding continues to be relevant in today's medical environment. Acharya Charaka states that "Jagathyeva Anousadam" which means that all matter in the universe falls into the category of medicine in some way.^[1]

The demand for Ayurvedic herbal remedies has increased due to its increasing acceptability on a global scale. But this quick expansion highlights how important it is to standardise the manufacturing and application of these natural remedies. Standardisation is a crucial component of contemporary Ayurvedic treatment since it guarantees the efficacy, safety, and quality of Ayurvedic medicines. Products sold under the name Rasna may contain different plant species or different concentrations of active compounds, which may affect their overall safety and efficacy. Because active ingredient levels might vary depending on plant parts, growing conditions, and processing methodologies, it can be challenging to determine and quantify the active chemicals that have therapeutic benefits. Standardised herbal medications are put through a thorough testing process to determine their active ingredients ensuring quality standards. This lowers the possibility of adulteration which is essential for consumer safety. Alpinia is the largest and most widely distributed genus in the ginger family, with about 230 species. It is widely distributed in the Sri Lanka, Western Ghats of India, China, Japan, and throughout South Asia.^[2]

Pluchea lanceolata (D.C.) Oliver & Hiern, (belonging to genus Pluchea) from Asteraceae family, is a small shrub typically found in sandy and saline soils. It grows in hotter regions of India, including Punjab, Rajasthan, Upper West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, as well as in neighbouring Asian countries and North Africa. This plant is an erect, allelopathic, perennial subshrub, reaching a height of 30-100 cm. Its stems are cylindrical, measuring 2-3 mm in diameter, with a whitish-green outer surface, and branches are pubescent and branched.^[3]

Varieties such as Pluchea lanceolata, Alpinia calcarata and Alpinia officinarum may be misidentified or erroneously used interchangeably, which may lead to inconsistencies in therapeutic uses.

Materials and Methods

Collection of raw materials

The three market samples of Rasna, (Pluchea lanceolata, Alpinia calcarata & Alpinia officinarum) were collected from the South Indian market that is from Thrissur, Kerala. The collected raw materials were identified and authenticated at pharmacognosy department of Sitaram Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. The specimen samples were stored at Quality Control division of Sitaram Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd for further reference with the reference numbers, SAPL/QC/CS/015, SAPL/QC/CS/016, and SAPL/QC/CS/243 respectively. The samples are notes as per the short forms in the further studies, Pluchea lanceolata as PL, Alpinia clacaratta as AC, Alpinia officinarum as AO for the easiness of the presentation.

Pharmacognostical analysis

Organoleptic analysis^[8]

Organoleptic characteristics provide an initial assessment of the authenticity of a sample which is a crucial aspect in Ayurveda. Parameters such as colour, odour, and taste were evaluated in this analysis.

Macroscopical analysis^[8]

Macroscopic traits are crucial for identifying and classifying plant species. These are visible traits that can be observed without a microscope. The key macroscopic features of rhizome are identified and classified in this study.

Powder Microscopic analysis^[8]

Slides were prepared using chloral hydrate, glycerine, phloroglucinol, and iodine in potassium iodide solution. Observations were made with a Magnus trinocular microscope, and images were captured with a Sony digital camera.

Physico-chemical Analysis^[8]

Physico-chemical analysis of raw materials, such as total ash, acid insoluble ash,

AC has a sweet spicy taste, offering a milder, balanced flavour with both sweetness and spiciness. AO offers a citrusy flavour, providing a sharp, tangy note. AC also has an aromatic scent, but its flavour suggests a sweet spicy tang may be due to its it may have a more subdued or balanced fragrance than stronger, more pungent species. AO is described as having a pungent aromatic odour, which indicates it is stronger and sharper in scent. This pungency is reflective of its more pronounced flavour profile, making it stand out in dishes where a potent aromatic note is desired.

Table 1: The Organoleptic features of rhizomes of three Rasna species.

Macroscopic analysis

The macroscopic features of three rhizomes of Rasna species in fig. no. 1, 2 and 3 were studied. The rhizomes of AO are branched and dense, with a light to dark brown colour. The dense branching could contribute to a more extensive underground network, allowing plant to spread effectively. AO has rhizomes with a larger diameter (8–10 cm) and a pseudo-stem length up to 3 meters. This indicates that AO has a more developed underground and aerial structure compared to AC and PL, contributing to its larger stature. The rhizome of AC is reddish-brown, cylindrical, often curved and branched and smaller in diameter (1–1.5 cm). The smaller size and curved nature may indicate a different growth form or ecological niche compared to other species.

Powder Microscopic analysis

The rhizome powder of Rasna was subjected to microscopic analysis to observe its diagnostic features and are presented in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 and contents in table no: 2. All three types of Rasna — PL, AC, and AO-commonly share presence of starch grains, fibers, stone cells, and parenchyma cells. Tracheids are present in AC and AG but are absent in AO. Spiral vessels are present in PL but absent in AC and AO. Rosette crystals of calcium oxalate are found in PL but are absent in AC and AO. Pitted vessel are present in PL but absent in both AC & AO.

1. Pluchea lanceolata (Chuvannarattha)

A: Fibers, B: Tracheids, C: Rosette crystal of calcium oxalate D: Stone cells, E: Spiral vessels, F: Fibre and Pitted vessels,
Figure 4: Powder microscopy of Pluchea lanceolata

2. Alpinia calcarata (Chittaratha)

Table 2: Powder microscopical data for the three types of Rasna

Physicochemical Analysis

Table no. 3 provides a comparative analysis of the Loss on Drying, Total Ash, Acid Insoluble Ash, Water Soluble Extractive, and Alcohol Soluble Extractive content in PL, AC, and AO. These parameters are typically used to assess the quality, composition, and potential medicinal properties of plant materials. PL has the highest total ash content at 8.50%, indicating a relatively higher amount of minerals compared to AC (4.53%) and AO (5.64%). PL has the highest water-soluble extractive content (31.11%), indicating the presence of water-soluble bioactive compounds compared to AC (19.20%) and AO (14.92%).

PL again shows the highest value in this category (16.19%), indicating that it may have a higher concentration of alcohol-soluble bioactive compounds. This could make PL more suitable for tinctures or alcohol-based extracts.

Table 3: The Physicochemical analysis of the three Rasna species

Phytochemistry

Table no. 4 shows the comparative analysis of the presence or absence of various phytochemicals in the water and alcohol extracts of three species: PL, AC, and AO. These compounds include carbohydrates, sugars, proteins, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, phenols, and others that are of interest in herbal medicine and phytochemistry.

Discussion

Rasna is a significant medicinal plant highlighted in Ayurvedic texts and classical literature. According to the descriptions in Samhita texts, Rasna is stated as an ayurvedic medicinal herb or shrub with a distinct aroma, leaves being similar to that of possessing a bitter taste (Tikta Rasa), a heating potency (Ushna Veerya), and properties that balance Kapha and Vata doshas (Kapha-Vatashamaka).^[10]

All three Rasna varieties have a scaly, rough texture, often tough and fibrous. This is characteristic of the rhizomes of the Alpinia species. Pluchea lanceolata also shows the same features in texture. This texture makes them suitable for drying, grinding into powders, or slicing for medicinal use.

Starch grains are present in PL, AC, and AO, indicating that all three species have starch storing cells within. Starch grains are typically found in plant cells as a form of energy store, and their presence across these species suggests a common function of energy reserve in the rhizomes or other vegetative parts.^[11] Fibers are also present in all three species. Fibers are long, tough cells that provide structural support to the plant. Their presence suggests that these plants have developed a well-structured vascular system to support the rhizomes and other organs.¹² Stone cells (also known as sclereids) are present in PL, AC, and AO. These cells provide mechanical support and toughness to plant tissues. They are often found in rhizomes or other tissues and may contribute to the plant's resistance to herbivory or stress.^[13]

Parenchyma cells are present in all three species. These are the most common type of plant cells, responsible for photosynthesis, storage, and secretion. In rhizomes, they serve as storage cells for starch and other compounds. These common features indicate that the plants have similar structural and functional adaptations, primarily in their rhizomes, where these compounds play crucial roles in energy storage, structural support, and resilience.

Loss on drying measures the amount of moisture present in a sample after it is dried at a specified temperature. A higher percentage suggests higher moisture content in the raw plant material. All three samples show similar loss on drying percentages, with AO showing the highest moisture content (10.50%), followed closely by AC (10.30%) and PL (10.12%). These results suggest that all the plant materials contain a similar moisture level, with AO having slightly more water content than the others. Acid insoluble ash refers to the inorganic materials (such as silica) that are not soluble in an acidic solution. High acid-insoluble ash can indicate the presence of non-digestible or hard mineral particles, which can affect the plant’s digestibility or bioavailability of nutrients. PL and AC show higher acid-insoluble ash values (1.85% and 1.64%, respectively) compared to AO (0.93%). This suggests that AO may contain fewer indigestible or hard mineral particles, potentially making it more bioavailable than the other two plants. The differences in this parameter may suggest varied tissue compositions, with PL and AC possibly having more fibrous or silica-rich materials. The water-soluble extract represents the compounds that can be dissolved in water, such as sugars, organic acids, and certain plant metabolites. This parameter gives insight into the plant's potential medicinal properties, as water-soluble compounds are often bioactive. PL has the highest water-soluble extract content (31.11%), indicating the presence of a higher concentration of water-soluble bioactive compounds compared to AC (19.20%) and AO (14.92%). The higher percentage in PL suggests that this plant might be more useful in preparations where water extraction is required, potentially offering greater medicinal or nutritional value when extracted with water. The alcohol-soluble extrac refers to the compounds that dissolve in alcohol, including essential oils, alkaloids, and other fat-soluble substances. These compounds often have different medicinal or aromatic properties compared to water-soluble compounds. PL again shows the highest value in this category (16.19%), indicating that it may have a higher concentration of alcohol-soluble bioactive compounds. This could make PL more suitable for tinctures or alcohol-based extracts. AC and AO show much lower alcohol-soluble extract content (8.84% and 3.10%, respectively), suggesting that these species may have less alcohol-soluble compounds, which might limit their use in alcohol-based preparations.^[9]

The Rf values are crucial for comparing different species, identifying compounds, and ensuring the quality and consistency of herbal preparations. In three Rasna rhizomes shows the presence of common band at Rf 0.22. It suggests that the shared compound in three species of Rasna, could be responsible for the therapeutic effects.^[17] In the case of A. calcarata, a band at Rf 0.43 is observed, which is not seen in the other two species. The need for standardization of Ayurvedic medicines is paramount. It ensures quality and safety, promotes consistency in therapeutic efficacy, aids regulatory compliance, supports scientific research, and builds consumer trust. As Ayurveda continues to evolve and integrate into modern healthcare, embracing standardization will be essential for preserving its integrity and enhancing its credibility. By prioritizing standardization, the Ayurvedic community can secure a place for itself in the global health landscape, providing safe and effective herbal solutions for generations to come.

Conclusion

The Rasna plant serves as a poignant example of the challenges posed by botanical identity in herbal medicine. The three Rasna species, Pluchea lanceolata, Alpinia calcarata and Alpinia officinarum, exhibit distinct yet shared morphological and phytochemical characteristics that contribute to their medicinal significance in Ayurvedic practices. While all three types show similar cellular features like starch grains, fibers, and stone cells, which support their medicinal properties, they also demonstrate unique attributes that may influence their therapeutic potential. The findings suggest that, despite their differences, all three Rasna species hold a significant promise for traditional and modern medicinal uses, with Pluchea lanceolata likely being the most versatile among them. Further research on their active constituents and pharmacological properties will be essential to unlock their full therapeutic potential.

References

1. Ashtanga Hridayam, Sootrasthanam, 9th chapter, Dravyadi Vijnaneeyam.

2. Namdeo AG, Kale VM. Comparative pharmacognostic and phytochemical investigation of two Alpinia species from the Zingiberaceae Family. World J Pharm Res. 2015 Feb 15;4(5):1417-32.

15. Tütüncü Konyar S, Öztürk N, Dane F. Occurrence, types and distribution of calcium oxalate crystals in leaves and stems of some species of poisonous plants. Bot Stud. 2014;55:32. doi: 10.1186/1999-3110-55-32.

16. Llauradó Maury G, Méndez Rodríguez D, Hendrix S, Escalona Arranz JC, Fung Boix Y, Pacheco AO, et al. Antioxidants in Plants: A Valorization Potential Emphasizing the Need for the Conservation of Plant Biodiversity in Cuba. Antioxidants. 2020;9(11):1048. doi: 10.3390/antiox9111048.