Pharmacognostic Standardization and HPTLC Fingerprinting of Karchur (Curcuma Zedoaria (christm.) Roscoe)

Abstract

In Ayurvedic medicine, Karchura (Curcuma zedoaria (Christm.) Roscoe), a perennial rhizomatous herb of the family Zingiberaceae, is traditionally used for its Deepana, Pachana, Shothahara, and Vedanasthapana properties. The rhizome is rich in curcuminoids, and volatile oils, which are responsible for responsible for diverse pharmacological effects. Objective: To evaluate the pharmacognostic, physicochemical, and phytochemical properties of Karchur and develop a High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic (HPTLC) fingerprint for authentication and standardization. Methods: Collected rhizomes were authenticated and were analysed as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia standards through macroscopic, transverse and powder microscopic examinations. An analysis of physicochemical parameters such as foreign matter moisture loss, ash values, and solvent extractives was carried out. Alcoholic, aqueous and petroleum ether extracts were screened for phytochemicals. High-Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic profiling was performed on silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates using toluene:ethyl acetate:Methanol (9:1:0.5), scanned densitometrically at 254 and 366nm. Results: The rhizomes were cylindrical, greyish-buff surface and wrinkled, with microscopic features showing epidermis, trichomes, cortex, starch grains, vascular bundles, xylem, tracheids, stone cells and oil cells. Powder microscopy showed the presence of parenchymatous cells, oil cells, stone cells, fibres and hairs. Physicochemical analysis indicated 0.38% foreign matter, 6.12% total ash, 15.53% alcohol-soluble extractives, 18.96% water-soluble extractives, and16.18% moisture content (LOD). Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of the presence of steroids, saponins, tannins, reducing sugar, alkaloids flavonoids, and terpinoids, in hydroalcoholic and alcoholic extract, while only steroids, alkaloids and terenoids were detected only in the petroleum ether extract. The HPTLC fingerprint profile of Curcuma zedoaria rhizome extract exhibited 5 resolved bands with Rf values ranging from 0.255 to 0.940 at 254 nm and 6 resolved bands with Rf values ranging from 0.206 to 0.905 at 366nm. Conclusion: The study establishes comprehensive pharmacognostic, physicochemical, and HPTLC data for Karchur rhizomes, providing a valuable standard for identification and future research applications.