INTRODUCTION:

India is the largest producer of medicinal herbs and is called as botanical garden of the world. Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita give extensive description on various medicinal herbs¹. The state of Jharkhand occupies a unique position in the tribal map of India having 62 scheduled tribes including 15 primitive tribes².

The Ranchi district of Jharkhand state is highly rich in biodiversity. The utility of plant by the aboriginal people of Ranchi district for different purposes have been mentioned by Sahu et.al. in their project report on ethno botanical studies of Ranchi district of Jharkhand, conducted during 2001-2004³.

A number of plants have been found to have medicinal properties including Eclipta alba, Carica papaya, Psidium guajava, Moringa oleifera, Aloe vera, Brassica oleracea etc. These traditional knowledge is passed orally to the next generation and hence these knowledge is needed to be preserved.

Material and method:

This research work has been conducted in following line of direction:

1. Survey – The experimental plants was selected on the basis of ethnomedicinal literatures, field survey and documentation of ethnomedicinal information based on conversation with Pahanas, Vaidyas, faith healers, knowledgeable persons.

2. Study area/Data collection – The data was collected from different blocks of Ranchi district i.e. Kanke, Ratu, Itki and Ormanjhi of Jharkhand.

The data was collected by following methods:

1. Through interview – The ethno medicinal data was collected through direct interview with primitive tribes, local healers, vaidyas, hakims.

2. Through literature – Secondary information like maps, flora, census statistics and report on forest use was collected.

3. Through digital photography – The collection of data, field survey, interaction with local people, knowledgeable persons, vaidyas etc. was performed and recorded by digital camera.

In the course of study it was observed that many of the plants were consumed as ethno medicines. The plants were collected and preserved. Photographs of the plants were also taken and their botanical identification was established.

3. Material collection and identification - Plants were collected from different blocks of Ranchi district of Jharkhand and were identified using Botany of Bihar and Orissa vol. 2 (Part III- IV) and was also confirmed by Prof. (Dr.) Kunul Kandir, HOD, Prof-in-charge of Plant taxonomy, ethno botany and medicinal plants.

4. Ash value determination:

The collected plant samples were dried and crushed into powder form. 5gm of powdered plant material was taken in an empty crucible. Powdered material in crucible was incinerated (at 600°C) until they become carbon free. After cooling down, ash of plant material was weighed and percentage of total ash value was calculated using formula:

Total ash (%) = weight of ash×100/weight of sample

RESULT AND DISCUSSION:

A number of research works have been performed on ethnomedicinal plants for their physic- chemical and phytochemical evaluation for their use in the treatment of various ailments^4-7. Charak Samhita and Sushrut Samhita are regarded two most important documents of this system of medicine⁸. In the present study ash value evaluation of some of the ethno medicinal plants like Psidium guajava, Carica papaya, Moringa oleifera and Spinacia oleracia were performed and which was found to be highest in Spinacea oleraceae i.e. 20.8% followed by Moringa oleifera (14.5%), Carica papaya (14 %) and Psidium guajava (9.5%). The findings will help help in determining potential, quality and benefit of these plants in treatment of anaemia. The work will help in documentation of traditional knowledge along with scientific touch⁹.

Psidium guajava

Carica papaya

Moringa oleifera

Psidium guajava (Ash value)

Carica papaya (Ash value)

Moringa oleifera (Ash value)

Spinacea oleraceae (Ash value)

Table 1: Observation table for ash value determination of Psidium guajava

S. No.	Number of observation	Weight of powdered sample (gm)	Weight of ash (gm)	Ash value (%)
1.	1	2.00	0.19	9.5
2.	2	2.00	0.24	12
3.	3	2.00	0.21	10.5
4.	4	2.00	0.16	8
5.	5	2.00	0.22	11
6.	6	2.00	0.14	7
7.	7	2.00	0.17	8.5
8.	8	2.00	0.18	9
9.	9	2.00	0.13	6.5
10.	10	2.00	0.26	13
			Total	95

Average ash content = 9.5 %

Table 2: Observation table for ash value determination of Carica papaya

S.No.	Number of observation	Weight of powdered sample (gm)	Weight of ash (gm)	Ash value (gm)
1.	1	2.00	0.28	14
2.	2	2.00	0.21	10.5
3.	3	2.00	0.36	18
4.	4	2.00	0.24	12
5.	5	2.00	0.27	13.5
6.	6	2.00	0.26	13
7.	7	2.00	0.30	15
8.	8	2.00	0.25	12.5
9.	9	2.00	0.32	16
10.	10	2.00	0.31	15.5
			Total	140

Average ash content = 14 %

Table 3: Observation table for ash value determination of Moringa oleifera

S. No.	Number of observation	Weight of powdered sample (gm)	Weight of ash (gm)	Ash value (%)
1.	1	2.00	0.29	14.5
2.	2	2.00	0.30	15
3.	3	2.00	0.24	12
4.	4	2.00	0.36	18
5.	5	2.00	0.25	12.5
6.	6	2.00	0.34	17
7.	7	2.00	0.27	13.5
8.	8	2.00	0.33	16.5
9.	9	2.00	0.26	13
10.	10	2.00	0.26	13
			Total	145

Average ash content = 14.5 %

Table 4: Observation table for ash value determination of Spinacea oleracea

S. No.	Number of observation	Weight of powdered sample (gm)	Weight of ash (gm)	Ash value (%)
1.	1	2.00	0.41	20.5
2.	2	2.00	0.30	15
3.	3	2.00	0.36	18
4.	4	2.00	0.53	26.5
5.	5	2.00	0.42	21
6.	6	2.00	0.38	19
7.	7	2.00	0.48	24
8.	8	2.00	0.40	20
9.	9	2.00	0.47	26.5
10.	10	2.00	0.35	17.5
			Total	208

Average ash content = 20.8 %

CONCLUSION:

Anaemia affects a large population throughout the world including both developed and developing countries. Traditional medicines are preferred by people as it is easily available, low cost, compatible with body and having less side effects. Different plants have been explored to have anti-anaemic potential. In the present study ash value was determined which are highly useful in determining the purity, authenticity and purity of sample. Low ash value in plant part indicates free from foreign particles. These results will help in setting a standard for development of traditional medicines.

Acknowledgement:

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Dr. Kunul Kandir, Professor and Head Department of Botany, Ranchi University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India for her encouragement and valuable suggestions for the improvement of the article.

REFERENCES:

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Received on 05.06.2023 Modified on 09.07.2023

Res. J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochem. 2023; 15(4):277-280.

DOI: 10.52711/0975-4385.2023.00043