Identification of Bioactive Molecules in Traditional <i>Siddha</i> Formulation <i>“Nilaavarai Choornam”</i>

The Siddha system of medicine is developed by ancient Tamil Siddhars, through their spiritual power. In the present work, the Siddha herbal formulation Nilaavarai choornam (NVC) is selected and chemically evaluated for its major active constituents. All standardization parameters were evaluated for the in-house and market samples of NVC. These parameters will also be useful in checking the quality of the ingredients and the end product. Its ingredients are senna, ginger, black pepper, ajowan and embelia. It is administered to treat constipation, indigestion, flatulence and intestinal worms. Pharmacognostic parameters of Nilaavarai choornam were determined through powder microscopy and chemical studies. Preliminary phytochemical screening was carried out using petroleum ether, chloroform, acetone, alcohol and water extracts obtained through successive extraction methods. Fluorescence analysis was also performed to detect chromophores present in this formulation. HPTLC Fingerprinting profile was determined to identify the active molecules present in this formulation. Powder microscopy of this formula suggested the presence of characteristic, calcium crystals, oleoresin, stone cells, endosperm cells, striated cuticle and parenchyma cells. The powdered material showed 2.8% loss on drying for NVC-M and 2.5% for NVC-H, 3% of ash for both samples and 0.54% of acid insoluble ash for NVC-M and 0.09% for NVC-H. Preliminary phytochemical screening of various extracts revealed the presence of proteins, sterols, terpenoids, carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, quinones, alkaloids and glycosides. The HPTLC fingerprinting profile of the chloroform fraction of NVC-M and NVC-H showed characteristic spots. Also, HPTLC determination was done with the standard gingerol and piperine and the results obtained confirmed the presence of active ingredients in both the samples.