Abstract
Pharmacognostic and antifungal investigations of Elaeocarpus ganitrus (Rudrakasha)
1 Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143 005, India 2 University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh-160 014, India
Correspondence Address:
B Singh Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143 005 India E-mail: balbir_gndu@yahoo.com
Rudrakasha is the dried bead obtained from the ripe fruit of Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb. (Family: Elaeocarpaceae). Microscopic studies revealed the presence of a hard endocarp with lignified isodiametric sclereids, seeds with membranous seed coat, which enclosed a dense cellular endosperm comprising of calcium oxalate druses. Physicochemical parameters showed that total ash was 1.36 times and 1.56 times more than the acid insoluble ash and water-soluble ash, respectively. Further, ethanol had a maximum extractable value of 2.4% and moisture content was found to be 9.7%. Different extracts, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water were prepared. Chemically the extracts showed the presence of phytosterols, fats, alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, proteins and tannins. The extracts were evaluated for antifungal activity on different fungal strains. Chlorofom and ethanol extracts have high antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Whereas, chloroform, ethanol and water extracts showed moderate inhibition against Aspergillus niger.
