Pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical, nutraceutical evaluation and in vitro antioxidant potency of Habenaria intermedia (D. Don) Szlach-A rare orchid

Habenaria intermedia (D. Don) Szlach is a rare orchid species of broad spectrum medicinal importance. It is commonly known as 'Riddhi' in the ayurvedic system of medicine. Pseudobulbs of this species are used in the ayurvedic formulations such as 'Chyawanprash'. The edible tubers are used for the treatment of several chronic diseases such as asthma, leprosy, skin diseases, memory loss, and as an aphrodisiac, depurative, anthelmintic, rejuvenating, and also as a general tonic. In the present work, the pharmacognostic, physio-chemical, phytochemical, nutraceutical and antioxidant potencies of H. intermedia have been presented. In pharmacognostic evaluation, we studied sensory, macroscopic, and histochemical parameters. The physico-chemical parameters evaluated were total ash (2.5 +/- 0.2%), acid insoluble ash (1 +/- 0.1%), water-soluble ash (2 +/- 0.2%), foreign matter (nil), loss on drying (0.4 +/- 0.2 %), foaming index (less than 100), swelling index (20 ml +/- 2%), pH, and crude fibre content (1 +/- 0.01%.). In phytochemical evaluation, qualitative and quantita-tive analyses were performed. For qualitative phytochemical analysis, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate, ethanol and aqueous extracts were used. The phytochemical & nutraceutical analysis showed the presence of carbohydrates, amino acids, gums, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, proteins, saponins, phenols, resins, and alkaloids. In quantitative analysis, total phenolic content (TPC) was found 8.91 +/- 1.13 mg/ml (Gallic acid equivalents/gm extract). Total flavonoids content (TFC) was 16.03 +/- 2.04 mg/ml against the standard querce-tin. The total sugar content was 34.3 +/- 4.27 mg/ml against the standard of glucose, and total resin content was 4.5 +/- 0.21%. Tannin content was 0.03 +/- 0.1% in pseudobulbs whereas fats content was 1 +/- 0.12%. In anti-oxidant assays, aqueous extract showed higher antioxidant potency in terms of % radical scavenging activity (RSA) as compared to hydroalcoholic extracts. The above parameters provide critical information for setting quality parameters of crude drugs used in various formulations and will contribute significantly to orchid research. These findings encourage the potential use of this plant in disease management & treatments, which justify its usage in traditional systems of medicines. Research is required in the isolation of potent compounds and their clinical trials. (c) 2022 SAAB. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.