COMPONENTAL TESTING METHODS FOR HERBAL CRUDE DRUGS

*K. Malleswari, D. Rama Brahma Reddy G. Baby Syamala, M. Kavitha and J. Somasekhar

ABSTRACT

Uncaria rhynchophylla (Miq.) Jacks (Rubiaceae) is a of component of the Chinese crude drug Gou-teng, which is widely used as a remedy for several ailments including cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, eclampsia, and epilepsy. In chapter, we review the phytochemistry and pharmacological attributes of U. rhynchophylla, with a focus on the neuroprotective activity of the plant. The plant is reported to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antiarrhythmic, anticancer, anticonvulsive, and neuroprotective properties, which are related to the presence of various classes of bioactive compounds, predominantly indole alkaloids such as rhynchophylline and isorhynchophylline. In vitro and in vivo studies have provided strong evidence that the bioactive compounds present in U. rhynchophylla may potentially be useful in treating neuronal disorders through different modes of action. For instance, with respect to Alzheimer’s disease, constituents of the plant have been showed to play significant roles in inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, Aβ aggregation, counteracting oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, and increasing neuronal survival and synaptic plasticity. This chapter advocates for further investigations into U. rhynchophylla as a novel source of therapeutic agents to prevent and/or manage Alzheimer’s disease.

Keywords: Crude drug, evaluation, standardization, qualitycontrol, quality assurance.