Pharmacognostical and Phytochemical Studies of KukutnakhiAspidium Cicutarium - A Folklore Plant

Aspidium cicutarium L. from Dryopteridaceae family is a folk medicinal plant used in the treatment of shotha (inflammation). The rhizomes of this herb are said to be successful in managing Inflammation. This study is aimed at assessing the scientific evaluation of Aspidium cicutarium in the course of pharmacognostical and phytochemical analysis, which mainly covered the macroscopic and microscopic features of the rhizomes including powder microscopy and Phytochemical parameters such as pH, total ash value, water-soluble extract values were assessed in the preliminary physicochemical screening. Qualitative analysis revealed the existence of certain chemical constituents such as flavonoids, tannins, organic acids and saponin glycosides. The ethanol extract of rhizomes was subjected to TLC for the separation of components.