QUALITY EVALUATION OF BHUMYAMALAKI (PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI LINN.) PANCHANGA THROUGH PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND HPLC FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS

Dr. Bhumishree G.*, Dr. D. N. Dhari, Dr. Kasinath Hadimur

Background: Bhumyamalaki Phyllanthus niruri Linn.is an important medicinal plant widely used in Ayurveda for the management of various diseases. Establishing pharmacognostical and physicochemical standards is essential to ensure its authenticity, quality, and purity. Objective: The present study aimed to establish pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical, and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint standards for Phyllanthus niruri Linn. Panchanga. Materials and Methods: Fresh Panchanga was collected, authenticated and subjected to organoleptic, macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. Physicochemical parameters including loss on drying, total ash, pH, specific gravity, and solubility profile were determined using standard procedures. An aqueous extract was prepared by Soxhlet extraction and subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and HPLC fingerprint analysis. Results: The study established characteristic organoleptic, morphological, and anatomical features useful for authentication of the crude drug. Physicochemical evaluation showed a loss on drying of 10%, total ash of 16%, pH of 6.85, and specific gravity of 1.012. The extract was soluble in water and hydrochloric acid. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, saponins, and proteins. HPLC fingerprint analysis produced seven well-resolved peaks, with the major peak observed at a retention time of 10.20 min. Conclusion: The findings provide comprehensive reference standards for the authentication, quality assessment, and standardization of Phyllanthus niruri Linn. Panchanga, supporting its use as a quality-assured raw material in herbal and Ayurvedic formulations.