Phytopharmacognostic Evaluation and Fourier Transform Infrared Fingerprint in the Quality Control of Various Culinary Herbs: AN ULTIMATE REMEDY IN ASIA

Abstract

Background: The quality and efficacy of culinary herbs commonly practiced in Asia as a remedy for seasonal illnesses such as cold, flu, congestion, fever and inflammation, etc. The extemporaneous preparations of these culinary herbs are being formulated as traditional practice either in the form of extract, decoction, and paste etc. These culinary herbs are being practiced for curing sporadic illnesses since ancient time.

Objectives: In present study five herbs’ i.e. Elettaria cardamomum (cardamom), Cinnamomum zeylanicum (cinnamon), Carum carvi (caraway), Oreganum vulgare (oregano) and Syzygium aromaticum (clove) have been obtained from the market to assure quality of herbs in local market.

Methodology: Various quality control tests including microscopic evaluation, physico-chemical characteristics, Thin layer chromatography (TLC) and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) have been performed to determine their compliance with the standards. The TLC has been used for the identification of the active ingredients on comparison of their Rf values with the reference standard. FTIR Spectra of these materials have been obtained to identify and confirm structural information and assignment of functional groups.

Results: Many of the herbal samples used in this study have been complied with the available official standards as given in Pharmacopoeia. If the samples did not comply with the standards then it indicates that the sample belongs to spurious quality of raw herb, which is the prime cause that may interfere with the therapeutic efficacy and variability of outcomes.

Conclusion: This study help to provide a significant data to herbal drug manufacturers for authentication of commercially available herbs which may be used in the formulation of extemporaneous or commercially available herbal medicine.