Vidari Case Study

The aim of the present study is to use detail diagnostic characters and instrumental validation for authentication of a traditionally important herbal drug known as “Vidari” in local Indian market.
Vidari drug has four different botanical entities namely Pueraria tuberose DC (P.t) (family: Leguminosae), Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq (I. m) (family: Convolvulaceae), Adenia hondala de Wide (A. h) (family: Passifloraceae) and Cycas circinalis (C. c) Linn (family: Cycadaceae). In this study morphological, histological characters, proximate analysis viz foreign organic matters, moisture content, ash value, extractive value and preliminary investigations on phytoconstituent were evaluated separately. Furthermore validated HPLC profiles of all the species
These include P.t (Roxb.ex Willd.) DC (Fabaceae), I. m. Jacq (Convolvulaceae), A. h (Gaertn) de Wide (Passifloraceae) and C. c Linn (Cycadaceae). The substitutes may or may not resemble Vidari in terms of morphology, properties or actions. Vidari is an ingredient of Chyavanaprasha, one of the top-selling products of Ayurvedic industry3. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India correlates Vidari to P. t (Fabaceae) and it is traditionally used for bleeding disorders, decreased seminal quantity, purification of blood, tuberculosis, cough, pain, burning micturition, herpes, rejuvenator, tonic, restorative, aphrodisiac, galactagogue, diuretic, demulcent, haemorrhage, bronchial asthma and urinary disorders4-6. Tubers of Vidari are used in more than 45 formulations of Ayurveda like Marmagutika, Nityananda Rasa, Salavaryadi Ghrta, Asvagandhadyarista, Sarasvatarista, Mahavisagarbha Taila6, Vidaryadi ghrtam, Cyavanaprasam4, Vidari ghrita, Pugakanda, Vidaryadikwatha churna7. Most authors have equated Vidari with P. t and Ksiravidari with I. m4. Kerala physicians also accept I. m, locally called Palmutukku as the plant source of Vidari. Studies on the market samples in Kerala reveal that in addition to I. m, the large spherical tubers of A. h which is known as Mutukku in vernacular are also sold in the market under the name Vidari which may be an adulterant
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20. Sharma SC, Shukla YN, Tandon JS. Constituents of Colocasia formicate, Sagittaria sagittifloria, Arnebia nobilis, Ipomoea paniculata, Rhododendron niveum, Paspalum scrobiculatum, Mundulea sericea and Duabanga sonneratiodes. Phytochemical reports. 1972; 11: 2621-623.
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23. Li CJ, Brownson DM, Mabry TJ, Perera C, Bell EA. Nonprotein aminoacids from seeds of Cycas circinalis and Phaseolus vulgaris. Phytochem. 1996; 42: 443-45.
Table 1. Data showing morphological features of all the four species used as Vidari

Characteristics Pueraria tuberosa Ipomoea mauritiana Adenia hondala Cycas circinalis
Colour Outer brown skin with whitish inner part Outer surface brownish black in colour with white inner portion Greyish brown bark followed by inner greenish yellow Milky white in colour with yellowish fibrous