Pharmacognostic and Physicochemical Studies of Embelia ribes Burm. f. Fruit used in Ayurvedic Formulations

Plants are the great sources of medicines, especially in traditional system of medicine, which are useful in the treatment of various diseases. The recent global resurgence of interest in herbal medicines has led to an increase in the demand for them. In Indian system of medicine ‘Ayurveda’ Embelia ribes Burm. f. is popularly known as Vidanga. Medicinal uses of Vidanga as per Ayurveda are Shula, krimiroga (Antihelmenthic), udararoga, adhmina, appetiser, mild laxative, carminative, anthelmintic, alexiteric, dyspepsia. Embelia ribes Burm. f. fruit has been shown to possess astringent, carminative, stimulant, antioxidant, anti-spermatogenic, anti-bacterial and anticancer activity. Embelia ribes Burm. f. fruits contains embelin (3-undecyl 2, 5-dihydroxy, 1, 4-benzoquinone), quinone, and fatty ingredients, christembine, resinoid, tannins and minute quantities of a volatile oil. Important ayurvedic formulations of vidanga are Vidangirishta, Vidanga lauha, Vidangidi lauha are some of the important formulations of Embelia ribes Burm. f.

The analysis and quality control of herbal medicines are moving towards an integrative and comprehensive direction, in order to better address the inherent holistic nature of herbal medicines. The present paper attempts to evaluate the pharmacognostical, physicochemical parameters and HPTLC profile of the Embelia ribes Burm. f. fruit for identification of the drug in dry form and control the adulteration of raw drugs used in ayurvedic formulations.