A.K. Meena et. al. / International Journal of Pharma Sciences and Research (IJPSR) Vol.1(3), 2010, 207-210 Comparative evaluation of standardisation parameters between Wedelia genus species A K Meena*, M M Rao, Komalpreet Kaur and P Panda National Institute of Ayurvedic Pharmaceutical Research, CCRAS, Moti Bagh Road, Patiala – 147001, Punjab, (India) Abstract Genus Wedelia belonging to family Asteraceae has great importance in Ayurvedic, Sidhha and Unani etc. traditional medicinal systems. In the recent past, number of attempts has been made to compare and evaluate the different species of plants belonging to the same genus. The use of the plants, plant extracts and pure compounds isolated from natural sources has always provided a foundation for modern pharmaceutical research. In present article comparative study between Wedelia biflora and Wedelia chinesis has been made for parameters like ash content, soluble extracts, moisture content, pH, toxic heavy metals, pesticide residue and microbial load etc. Keywords: Asteraceae, Wedelia biflora , Wedelia chinesis, Ayurvedic drugs, Standrdisation. Introduction Wedelia chinesis Merrill. (Syn. Wedelia calendulaceae) (Asteraceae) is a small, highly branched annual herb, commonly known as “Pilabhamgara” or “Bhringraj’ in Hindi and is a reputed herb of Ayurveda, Sidhha and Unani system of medicine [1] . This is a perennial herb, with light camphor like odour. It grows in wet places. Leaves are used in cough and cephalagia. Plants are the source for semisynthetic and traditional herbal medicines which are still used in the primary health care system in some parts of the world. The past decade has seen considerable change in opinion regarding ethno-pharmacological therapeutic applications. The presence of various active constituents in plants has urged scientists to examine these plants with a view to determine potential wound healing properties. The herb contains wedelolactone and demethyl wedelolactone (Coumestans derivatives) possessing potent anti-hepatotoxic activity and is incorporated as a major ingredient in a number of potent anti-hepatotoxic phyto- pharmaceuticals formulations. It is useful in the treatment of osteoporosis of knee and also possesses anti- inflammatory activity [2-3] . It contains large amount of phenolic constituents which generally show anti-inflammatory activity so, its wound healing activity has also been studied in details [4] . In several rural areas, extracts of dries leaves of these plants is applied to wounds as they have wound healing property. The fresh juice from the leaves of Wedelia chinesis has been used by Ayurvedic physicians in India for external use to treat skin problems, dermatitis, eczema and acne [5] . This herb is said to possess properties similar to those of Eclipta alba. The leaves are used for dyeing grey hair and for promoting their growth; their juice is used for tattooing, the colour produced being a deep indelible blue black. The root is pounded and used as a black dye with salts of Iron. The leaves are regarded as tonic. These are useful in cough, cephalagia and diseases of the skin especially alopecia. Whole plant is used to cure Jaundice. A decoction of the herb is used in uterine haemorrhage and menorrhagia. An ethanolic extract (5%) of the plant inhibits the growth of Ehrlich’s ascites carcinoma cell lines. It is also found to affect the central nervous system [6] . These Plants contain glycosides, reducing sugars, the expressed fatty oil. This oil contains black dye, tannin, carotene, chlorophyll, saponin, phytosterol, waxy compound, resin. The leaves contain isoflavonoids and wedelolactone, the latter is the lactone of 5,6 –dihydroxy-2- (2,6- dihydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) benzofuran -3- carboxylic acid and is analogous in structure to coumestrol, an estrogen from clover, triterpenoid saponin chikusettin, isoflavonoids , normedelo lactone and wedelo lactone. These plants show rooting at nodes. Leaves are opposite, sub sessile, lanceotate-oblong, entire or irregularity Crenate, Serrate. Heads are solitary, bright yellow, oblong, axillary peduncles, Achenes acute, pubescent. Wedelia biflora Linn. DC. is a rambling, perennial, climbing shrubs, found near the eastern and western sea-coasts of Andaman. Stems are semi- woody; leaves are ovate, serrate. The young leaves are used as a flavouring agent in food preparations. The pounded leaves are used for preparing a poultice for cuts, ulcers, sores and varicose veins. A decoction of the roots and leaves is prescribed for stomach-ache. The leaves are also credited with diuretic properties. The flowers are violently purgative. The leaves and stems are said to be toxic to goats [7-8] . The leaves contain a fair amount of protein, but have a high content of fibre. They also contain alkaloids. The aqueous extract of the leaves and stems is toxic to American cockroaches [9-11] . ISSN : 0975-9492 207