Research in progress
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Research in progress
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
This page presents a generated summary with additional references; See source (below) for actual content.
Original source:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated hence you should visit the source to read the original article which includes the author, publication date, notes and references.
V. Rajagopalan
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Research in progress
Year: 1986
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Coldenia procumbens L., a prostrate hairy herb from the Boraginaceae family, predominantly grows as a weed in wastelands and along riverbanks in South India. Known for its use in traditional Indian medicine, fresh leaves are utilized to alleviate rheumatic swellings, while a combination of the dried plant and fenugreek seeds is employed to promote the suppuration of boils. Despite its medicinal applications, a survey of existing literature reveals a lack of chemical investigations into this plant, which prompted the current research undertaking by the Department of Chemistry at Arul Anadar College in Karumathur.
Phytochemical Analysis of Coldenia procumbens
The initial phase of the study involved collecting Coldenia procumbens in June, followed by air drying and powdering the plant material. Successive extractions were carried out using hot benzene and alcohol. The benzene extract, upon concentration, produced a green sticky mass that was subjected to column chromatography, resulting in the isolation of a compound in the benzene-chloroform (19:1) fraction. This compound, exhibiting a melting point of 138–140 °C, passed the Liebermann–Burchard colour test, and subsequent acetylation yielded an acetyl derivative melting at 126 °C. Comparative analysis of its properties confirmed the compound to be Beta-sitosterol, further validated through Co-TLC. Additionally, the alcoholic extract revealed the presence of saponins, characterized by its ability to produce lather, hemolyze red blood cells, and respond to specific colour reactions.
Conclusion
The preliminary findings of the study highlight the potential phytochemical constituents of Coldenia procumbens, particularly the identification of Beta-sitosterol and saponins. The presence of these compounds merits further research to isolate the saponins in pure form and explore their structural properties and biochemical activities. This work not only contributes to understanding the chemical nature of Coldenia procumbens but also underscores the need for further investigations into its medicinal potential within the context of traditional practices.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What type of plant is Coldenia procumbens?
Coldenia procumbens is a prostrate hairy herb from the Boraginaceae family, commonly found as a weed in wastelands and riverbanks in South India.
What traditional uses does Coldenia procumbens have in Indian medicine?
In Indian medicine, fresh leaves of Coldenia procumbens are ground and applied to rheumatic swellings, while the dried plant mixed with fenugreek seeds is used to promote suppuration in boils.
What compounds were isolated from Coldenia procumbens in the study?
The study isolated Beta-sitosterol from the benzene extract and identified the presence of saponins in the alcoholic extract, which showed characteristic reactions in preliminary tests.
What methods were used to analyze Coldenia procumbens extracts?
The aerial portions of Coldenia procumbens were extracted with hot benzene and alcohol, followed by column chromatography and TLC for compound identification.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Research in progress”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Phytochemical:
Phytochemical refers to the biochemical compounds found in plants that may have health benefits. In the context of Coldenia procumbens, the term is relevant as the research is aimed at investigating the chemical constituents of the plant, focusing on their potential medicinal properties and effects, which include treating rheumatic conditions.
2) Fenugreek:
Fenugreek is a plant known for its seeds, which are often used in culinary and medicinal applications. Within the study, fenugreek seeds are mentioned in conjunction with Coldenia procumbens, indicating traditional practices where the dried plant, along with fenugreek, is utilized to promote the drainage of boils, showcasing the plant's historical relevance in herbal remedies.
3) Medicine:
The term medicine is essential as it emphasizes the traditional therapeutic uses of Coldenia procumbens in Indian medicine. The fresh leaves are applied to swellings, depicting the plant's significance in natural healing practices and the broader context of alternative medicine, where phytochemicals are explored for their potential health benefits.
4) Swelling:
Swelling refers specifically to the inflammation or enlargement of body tissues. In this research, the fresh leaves of Coldenia procumbens are applied to rheumatic swellings, indicating the plant's traditional use in managing inflammatory conditions, which underscores the importance of exploring its phytochemical constituents for potential therapeutic effects.
5) Water:
Water is a crucial solvent and medium in both chemical extraction and biological functions. In this study, it is mentioned in the context of the saponin's properties, as it produces copious lather and is involved in hemolysis, demonstrating the importance of water in the extraction processes and the biochemical activities of phytochemicals.
6) Blood:
Blood is a vital fluid in the body, and its mention in the context of hemolysis indicates the biological activity of compounds such as saponins present in Coldenia procumbens. Understanding how these compounds interact with blood cells is significant for assessing the plant's medicinal properties and potential therapeutic applications.
7) Paka (Pāka, Pakā, Pākā):
Paga, a term likely indicating page or section, denotes the organizational aspect of the document. It reflects the academic and research-oriented nature of the report from Arul Anadar College, highlighting the structured presentation of findings regarding Coldenia procumbens, critical for scholarly communication and documentation in scientific research.