|
|
|
Authentication of
herbal medicine Neem (Azadirachta indica A.Juss.) by using
taxonomic and pharmacognostic techniques
Shazia Sultana, Mir
Ajab Khan, Mushtaq Ahmad, Asghari Bano, Muhammad Zafar and
Zabta Khan Shinwari*
Abstract:
The quality
assurance of Neem
(Azadirachta indica
A.Juss.),
a traditional herbal drug of global importance used for the treatment of
different ailments, was studied. At global, regional, national and local
levels, the end users of this drug face the problem of adulteration. Two
different species are commercially marketed in the Indo-Pak Subcontinent
under the same trade name of Neem. One is
Azadirachta indica
and the other is
Melia azedarach
L., both
belonging to Meliaceae. In this study, a commercially available drug
sample of Neem was authenticated by using basic and advanced Taxonomic
and pharmacognostic analysis. Authentication, quality and
standardization of this drug were achieved using morphology,
organoleptography, pharmacogonistic markers, UV and IR analyses, SEM of
pollen and anatomical investigations. This study contributes towards the
global recognition and international acceptance of Neem as an herbal
drug.
Department of Plant Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad,
Pakistan
*Department of Biotechnology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad,
Pakistan
|
|
|