Published online in http://ijam.co.in ISSN: 0976-5921 Venkateshwarlu G et.al., Physicochemical and Phytochemical studies on Shivalingi fruits Research article Physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the fruits of “Shivalingi” [Diplocyclos palmatus (Linn.) Jeffrey] Venkateshwarlu G*, Shantha T R1, Shiddamallayya N1, Ramarao V1, Kishore K R1, S K Giri1 Sridhar B.N1, Pavankumar Sangu2 1. National Ayurveda Dietetics Research Institute (CCRAS), Dept.of AYUSH, M/o. H&FW, Govt.of India), Jayanagar, Bangalore-560011, Email ID: [email protected] 2. Senior Research Fellow (Ayurveda), NIIHM (CCRAS),, Hyderabad. Abstract Shivalingi (Diplocyclos palmatus Linn.) is a lesser heard medicinal plant of Ayurveda with the fruits having important use in the area of reproductive medicine (female infertility, aphrodisiac, tonic, leucorrhoea etc.,). The plant especially the fruits have immense folklore usage even today. It has been described in Ayurvedic classical texts like Rajanighantu and Nighantu ratnakara. So far no study reports are available on chemical analysis on the dried fruits of shivalingi. Hence, the present attempt was undertaken with an objective to investigate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies. The methodology of the study also involved Thin Layer chromatography and fluorescence parameters. The results of the analyses showed the presence of organic constituents like alkaloids, triterpinoids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids and proteins in the dried fruit. This provides impetus to conduct advanced research on this fruit to uncover its vast medicinal potential. Keywords: Diplocyclos palmatus, Physicochemical studies, phytochemical constituents, Ayurveda, Shivalingi, TLC 1. Introduction denticulate. Flowers yellow, unisexual, Shivalingi (Diplocyclos palmatus males in small fascicles of 3-6, female (Linn.), syn.Bryonia laciniosa) belongs to flowers solitary or few; Fruits subsessile family Cucurbitaceae. It is an annual globose, smooth berry, brick-red when ripe scandent herb, a slender much branched with white vertical lines, seeds yellowish tendril climber, from a thick permanent brown, similar to baccate, sub sessile, root stock, tendrils bifid; leaves simple, globose, smooth, bluish green, streaked alternate, membranous, 10-15 cm long, with broad vertical lines (1). Seeds are green and scabrid above, paler and smooth yellowish brown, and resemble with that beneath, 5 lobed, deeply cordate base, of Shivlinga (Phallus of Lord Shiva in lobes oblong lanceolate, margins sinuate Hindu mythology). *Address for correspondence: The plant is commonly found Assistant Director (Ayurveda), throughout India, on edges and bushes up National Ayurveda Dietetics Research to 1200m elevation and is naturally Institute propagated by seeds(2). Locally the fruits (CCRAS , of Diplocyclos palmatus are known as Dept.of AYUSH,M/o. H & F.W, Govt. of Lingatondikai in Kannada, India), Jayanagar, Bangalore-560011. Shivalingakkaya in Malayalam, Email ID: [email protected] Shivalingakkay in Tamil, Lingadonda in 20 Published online in http://ijam.co.in ISSN: 0976-5921 International Journal of Ayurvedic Medicine, 2010, 2(1), 20-26 Telugu and Shivalingi in Gujarathi & seeds with Tulsi (Ocimum basilicum) Marathi and in English it is known as leaves and Jaggery in female infertility (5). Lollipop climber(2). The shivalingi has got The seeds of Shivalingi are many synonyms like lingini, bahuputra, potentially contraceptive when used in syadeeshwari, saivamallika, lingi, combinaton with ginger (dry), pepper, citraphala, shivaja, sivavalli Putrajivi Root bark of vata (Ficus (Rajanighantu) and has ascribed the bengalensis) and milk (6). Besides, synonyms as mentioned which depict abortificient action of shivalingi seeds has different characteristics of utmost also been reported when it is combined important for facilitating its identification. with equal quantity ashwagandha roots and The plant has a foetid smell consumed with sugar and milk (7) (durgandha), acrid(katu rasa), (Bhawda Janya Sarkya,Amalad). thermogenic (Ushna), anti Increased spermatogenesis and a inflammatory(vrana ropana), alterative, significant increase in sperm count in depurative and tonic & rejuvenative epididymis of the male albino rats with (rasayani) properties, and is useful in concurrent increase in serum testosterone vitiated conditions of vata & pitta doshas, and luteinizing hormone have been cough, flatulence, skin diseases, reported with the use of shivalingi seeds. inflammations and general debility and The above studies clearly reflect also useful in sidhma kushta (psoriasis)(2). androgenic activity and its effects on hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis (8). The fruit is bitter, aperient and is considered to have tonic properties (3). 2. Materials and methods: The leaves of the plant are used as an 2.1. Sample ingredient along with Bengal gram flour in Fresh fruits of Shivalingi were a special dietary preparation of the tribal collected from Hassan district forest range Chhattisgarh as a tonic (4). Diplocyclos of Karnataka (13) and identified as palmatus is a known ayurvedic drug Diplocyclos palmatus (Linn.), syn.Bryonia described in Rajanighantu and Nighantu laciniosa(L.) (Fig. 1). They were dried and ratnakara. The fruit is used as an powdered. This powder was used as a aphrodisiac, tonic and as an antipyretic in sample for analyses. Ayurveda whereas in Siddha system of The total amount of extracts in all medicine entire plant is used as a laxative. solvents is an approximate measure of the constituents of the sample. The amount of 1.1. Indian Folklore Use sample soluble in a given solvent is an The leaves of the plant are index of its purity. These values indicate generally applied as an antiinflammatory the nature of the constituents present in the paste. Women take the seeds in crude sample. Physicochemical studies and combination with other medicinal herbs preliminary phytochemical screening was for helping conception and prevent carried out (10). Thin Layer miscarriage. Traditional healers of Gulgul chromatography studies of the petroleum village, Chhattisgarh recommend the use ether at 600-800C, chloroform and ethanol, of 3-4 seeds once daily by women, in aqueous extracts were carried out in empty stomach for 1 to 2 months to beget various solvents at 300C using precoated a male child (4). Gond and Bharia tribes of silica gel GF254 plate as adsorbent(11). Patalkot valley worship this plant and they The extraction with all solvents except consider that, this herb is boon for the water was carried out by Soxhlet’s childless parents. Traditional healers of method, while cold maceration was Gaildubba suggest a mixture of Shivalingi adopted for hydro-extraction. The process of extraction was performed until the 21 Published online in http://ijam.co.in ISSN: 0976-5921 Venkateshwarlu G et.al., Physicochemical and Phytochemical studies on Shivalingi fruits solvents turned colorless. The behavior of filtered while hot and solvent removed by the sample treated with different chemical distillation. The percentage of yield of the reagents and fluorescence characters were extract was calculated (Table 3). observed under ordinary and ultraviolet light (12). 3. Results It was observed that water soluble ash was 2.2. Physicochemical analysis (10) found more in comparison to total ash in Ash values are helpful in the crude sample. Solubility in ethanol was determining the quality and purity of crude more when compared to cold water (Table drugs in powdered form. The total ash 1). The sample was alkaline (pH: 8.04). method is designed to measure the total (Table 1). Phytochemical analyses amount of material remaining after revealed that the percentage yield of ignition. The different ash values like total petroleum ether extract was found to be ash, acid insoluble ash, water soluble ash more than when compared to other was carried out. Extractive values are extracts. The qualitative investigation tests useful for evaluation of crude drugs and were performed in the extracts and give an idea about the nature of chemical revealed the presence of alkaloids, constituents present in them. Petroleum flavonoids, Triterpinoids saponins, steroids ether extract at 600-800C, 95% ethanol and proteins (Table 2). The findings of soluble extractive, chloroform soluble TLC and fluorescence studies are given in extractive and water soluble extractive Tables 3 & 4. values were determined. Solubility and pH values were also determined using 4. Summary and Conclusion standard procedures. The different plant parts of the 2.3. Thin Layer Chromatography and medicinal herb Shivalingi have a long Fluorescence Studies (11) history of traditional usage in various parts The concentrated petroleum ether of India since times immemorial. The chloroform, ethanol and aqueous extract of principal usage of the fruits has been in the the fruit were subjected to TLC studies. areas of female infertility, pregnancy Equal amounts of these extracts were facilitation, aphrodisiac and tonic. The loaded on the TLC plates. The best medicinal use of the plant has been separation was achieved using Benzene, conspicuously mentioned in Ayurveda Toluene: Ethyl acetate (93:7) and BAW also. But, Shivalingi fruit has not been (Butanol: Acetic acid: Water) as a mobile much investigated or used medicinally in phase. After developing, the plates were mainstream Ayurveda industry. The fruit viewed under U-V light showed the might play a very important role in the presence of spots. The Rf values were