GC-MS and HPLC Analysis of Chlorophytum Borivilianum (Safed Musli) A Plant from Ayurveda- Herbal Viagra

Abstract

Chlorophytum borivilianum belongs to family Liliaceae Which is an herb found in the tropical wet forests in peninsular India. It is commonly called as Musli or Safed Musli in Hindi language. In the Ayurvedic literature, Safed Musli is celebrated as a Divya Aushad with unparalleled medicinal properties and therapeutic applications. It is considered an elixir to increase the general body immunity and has been reported to possess several biological activities including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, hepato protective, antioxidant, hypolipidemic and anti-diabetic [1] thus also known as ‘white gold’ [2] Its aphrodisiac properties have proved very much useful for the people suffering from Erectile Dysfunction and to increase male potency, it is extensively used as herbal Viagra due to its peculiar and It has sperm atogenic property helps cure impotency as they are rich in glycosides [3] Safed Musli Which is also gaining increasing acceptance as a vitalizer and health-giving tonic, acurative for pre-natal and post-natal problems, a restorative for immunity-improvement. The recent discovery of Safed Musli as a natural and safe aphrodisiac agent has also opened up new channels of application and new demand for it. Safed Musli is a herb and is also an ideal aphrodisiac with no negative side-effects associated with chemical-based aphrodisiac. Roots are claimed to be useful to treat oligospermia, preand postnatal symptoms, arthritis, diabetes and dysuria [4]. It is a threatened species and named ‘Chlorophytum’ due to the white milky texture of its tubers after peeling. Since ages, tribal communities in India used Safed Musli for enhancing their virility and thus due to its overexploitation it has reached the rare status in nature. It is used for rheumatism and joint pains, increases lactation in feeding mothers, diarrhoea, dysentery, gonorrhoea, leucorrhea etc. Its root contains steroidal and triterpenoid saponins, sapogenins and fructans which act as therapeutic agents and play a vital role in many therapeutic applications. It is a rich source of over 25 alkaloids, vitamins, proteins, carbohydrates, steroids, saponins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phenol, resins, mucilage, and polysaccharides and also contains a high quantity of simple sugars, mainly sucrose, glucose, fructose, galactose, mannose and xylose [5]. Steroidal saponins, polysaccharides, fructans and fructo oligosaccharides, Beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol, hecogenin and mucilage are major constituents of C. Borivilianum that act as therapeutic agents.The in vitro propagated roots were tested for the production of pharmaceutically important secondary metabolites stigmasterol and hecogenin. A maximum of 46.4 Abstract