Pharmacognostical studies of Gymnema sylvestre Leaves with reference to Estimation of Gymnemic acid by RP-HPLC Method

Abstract

Gymnema sylvestre commonly known as gurmar belongs to family Asclepiadaceae is used for its distinct property as sugar destroyer and is a reputed herb in the Ayurvedic system of medicine. The phytoconstituents responsible for sweet suppression activity includes triterpene saponins known as gymnemic acids, gymnemasaponins, and a polypeptide, gurmarin. The herb exhibits a broad range of therapeutic effects as an effective natural remedy for diabetes, besides being used for arthritis, diuretic, anemia, osteoporosis, hypercholesterolemia, cardiopathy, asthma, constipation, microbial infections, indigestion, and anti-inflammatory. In the present paper pharmacognostical profile of leaves of Gymnema sylvestre were reported. Also, Gymnemic acid which is a major constituent of the plant was estimated using HPLC.