EVALUATION OF PHARMACOGNOSTIC AND PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS OF PICCRORRHIZA KURROA ROYLE EX BENTH

Picrorrhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth is commonly known as Kutki belonging to family Scrophulariaceae. It is useful as a laxative, liver-stimulant, improving lactation, appetite stimulant, fabrifuge and as beneficial in bronchial asthma. This plant is native to the Himalayan region and is part of Ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for various diseases. The leaf, bark and the underground parts of the plant, mainly rhizomes are widely used in the traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) systems of medicine since ancient times. Rhizomes of Picrorrhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth plant material was subjected to microscopic characterization and physico-chemical studies. TLC has also been studied to fix the quality standards of this drug. The experiment has revealed a set of diagnostic characters essential for its standardization. Photomicrography and TLC profile were employed to fix standards. In this article attempt has been made to standardize the Picrorrhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth obtained from reliable source for its physico-chemical parameters like loss on drying, total ash value, acid insoluble ash, water soluble extract, alcohol soluble extract, pH etc.