ASIAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY Research paper
Asian J. Pharmacogn 4(3): 30-36
© 2020, Asian Society of Pharmacognosy. All Rights Reserved.
eISSN-0128-1119
30
Comparative phytochemical analysis and antioxidant
activities of two herbal powdered drugs used in the
treatment of uterine fibroids
Kaumadi Karunagoda
*1
, Pathirage Kamal Perera
2
, Hemantha
Senanayake
3,
Liyanage Dona Ashanthi Menuka Arawwawala
4
1
Department of Prasutitantra Kaumarabhritya, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo,
Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
2
Department of DravyagunaVignana, Institute of Indigenous Medicine, University of Colombo, Rajagiriya, Sri
Lanka
3
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
4
Industrial Technology Institute, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7, Sri Lanka
*
For correspondence: kaumadik@gmail.com
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Abstract: Nigella sativa Linn (Family: Ranunculaceae) and Anethum sowa Linn (Family: Apiaceae) are
commonly used herbs in Ayurveda medicine from ancient times highlighting its’ use in the treatment
of uterine fibroids throughout the island in Sri Lanka. Uterine fibroids are the most common benign
tumor of the female reproductive tract and occur in about 25% of all women of reproductive age and
up to 30 – 40% of women over age 40. N. sativa and A. sowa are used in Sri Lanka for the treatment of
uterine fibroids and other common gynecological disorders from ancient days. The phytochemical
analysis was carried out by Thin Layer Chromatography and Gas Chromatography analysis. Besides,
DPPH scavenging ability, total phenol, and total flavonoid contents were compared. The TLC
fingerprints of N. sativa and A. sowa were prominent and can be used as standards for the
authentication of these plants. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity was significantly higher
in A. sowa than that of N. sativa. Moreover, total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were significantly
higher in A. sowa than that of N. sativa. A. sowa showed comparatively more antioxidant activities than
that of N. sativa and may use for treating uterine fibroids due to the presence of higher polyphenols
and flavonoid types of compounds.
© 2020, Asian Society of Pharmacognosy. All Rights Reserved.
Keywords: Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant Activities, Nigella sativa L., Anethum sowa L.
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INTRODUCTION
Uterine fibroid is seen during the reproductive life of a female irrespective of the age, which
may result in various menstrual problems such as dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, and irregular periods,
by disturbing anatomical as well as physiological integrity. Medical management of this problem is
popular based on the Ayurveda system of medicine. Some of these Ayurveda medicines are used single
ingredient medicinal plant materials as drugs including Saraca asoca, Emblica officinalis, (Gautam, et.