Quality assessment and standards of rejuvenative Drug Boerhavia diffusa Linn. (Punarnava) root: An approach to evaluation

The herbal medicine has ancient medicinal use in different societies. Boerhavia diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae), is a plant of Rasayana category as per Ayurvedic claims due to its ethno- pharmacological, chemical and therapeutic values. It is commonly known as 'Punarnava' in the Indian system of medicine, is a perennial creeping herb found throughout the waste land of India. It is reported to possess antiaging, disease prevention and life strengthening activities which hold enormous influence in disease burden and affordability/ availability of healthcare in the world. It used in Ayurveda for the treatment of diabetes, digestive system, alleviates fluid retention and very useful in managing heart diseases, anemia, hernia, respiratory distress, liver problems, managing lipids and cholesterol in healthy limits. The present study provides a detailed account on the quality assessment and standards of Boerhavia diffusa Linn. Root. The pharmacognostic evaluation including taxonomy, morphology, microscopic characters, fluorescence analysis, physico-chemical parameter, phytochemical studies, TLC and HPTLC analysis. The information generated by this particular study provides relevant pharmacognostical data needed for proper identification and authentication of Boerhavia diffusa Linn. Root.