Assessment of quality parameters and safety in Indigofera tinctoria L. (Avuri) rootbark extract

Avuri (Indigofera tinctoria Linn) has widely been used for the treatment of poisonous bites, epilepsy, nervous disorders, bronchitis, dermatological disorders, and liver ailments in Indian traditional medicine. Extensive research has been made into the aerial extracts of this plant for medicine preparation. Despite being used in medicinal formulations, especially in the treatment of poisonous bites the root bark has been less studied. This study is the physiochemical and safety of methanolic extract of Avuri verpattai. Roots were excised from mature plants collected from the Hills of Palani, then the root bark was peeled and air-dried. Extraction was done in a Soxhlet apparatus using a methanolic extraction procedure. Further, the extracts were used for preliminary phytochemical, physiochemical analysis, and safety analysis like aflatoxin, pesticide residue, Microbial contamination, and heavy metals. The phytochemical analysis showed the presence of alkaloids, flavanoids, steroids, triterpenoids, coumarin, phenol, tannin, saponin, sugar and betacyanin. The physiochemical tests conducted on the root bark extract unveiled specific parameters: pH(4.73), Total ash (3.59% w/w), acid insoluble ash (0.4751% w/w), loss on drying at 105°C(3.45% w/w), water-soluble extractive (8.74%w/w), and alcohol soluble extractive (1.91% w/w). The bulk density was 0.2496g/ml, while the tapped density was determined as 0.4940g/ml for the extracts. Safety assessment conducted via aflatoxin analysis, microbial contamination, and pesticide residues, indicated the absence of such toxins in the extract. Additionally, trace amounts of heavy metals mercury and arsenic were detected at levels of 0.334 and 1.970ppm, respectively. The study reveals that the Methanolic extract of Avuri verpattai has significant quality and safety. Consequently, these parameters can serve in the study of Avuri verpattai Extract, as an important Siddha medicinal preparation.