Pharmacognostical Standardization, Phytochemical Evaluation and Contaminants Determination of Ustukhuddus (Lavandula stoechas Linn) –A Potent Unani Drug

Ustukhuddūs (Lavandula stoechas Linn) is a widely acknowledged drug and has long been used in Unani Medicine for the mitigation of varied ailing conditions. The standardization and quality control parameters of the species are poorly understood, despite its enormous therapeutic values. The current study aims to produce a thorough report on the standardization parameters and quality control analysis of the aerial part of L. stoechas Linn. Standard methods were employed to determine the pharmacognostic, physico-chemical parameters, and preliminary phytochemical screening of the drug. A solvent system containing Toluene: Ethyl acetate: Formic acid (7.6: 2.4: 0.01 v/v) was utilized for qualitative HPTLC analysis to assure the presence of various active components. Atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for heavy metal analysis, and microbial limit was determined following standard guidelines. The pharmacognostic and phytochemical analysis of aerial part of L. stoechas showed several diagnostic features in the species. The moisture content was found to be very low in the test drug and the total ash value of the drug was recorded to be approximately 4 – 5 times higher than the values of water soluble and acid insoluble ash. The aqueous extract showed higher extractive value when compared with organic extracts. The pH of the test drug was found to be slightly acidic. Phytochemically alkaloid, flavonoid, saponin, tannin, glycosides, terpenoids, steroids, phenols, quinones, coumarins, proteins, and carbohydrates were identified in the drug. The HPTLC chromatogram of chloroform extract showed a greater number of spots in absorbance mode, whereas in fluorescence mode, ethanol extract showed more number of spots. The contaminants determination revealed the presence of potentially toxic metals and microbial load within permissible limits. The comprehensive pharmacognostic profile of L. stoechas Linn reported in this study may complement the available information and may prove valuable for accurately identifying and authenticating the species for future research.