LAUSR

Globally tuberculosis is a major health problem. The main question with the current tuberculosis treatment is adverse effects and drug resistance. The present study aimed to identify safe and effective alternative herbal drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis. This study involves the standardization of selected medicinal plant extracts and in vitro antitubercular activity. Based on the literature survey, four medicinal plant extracts were selected i.e. Glycyrrhiza glabra (Yastimadhu), Piper longum (Pippali), Curcuma longa (Haridra) and Adhatoda vasica (Vasaka). To evaluate the authenticity and quality control aspect, chromatographic fingerprinting and physicochemical analysis were carried out. Quantification of phytomarkers was analyzed by High performance liquid chromatography and in vitro anti-mycobacterial activity was performed by agar well diffusion method on Mycobacterium smegmatis. All necessary physicochemical parameters were performed and found to comply with specified limits. Extracts were authenticated by qualitative High-performance thin layer chromatography fingerprinting in comparison with suitable raw herbs and phytomarkers. Quantification by High performance liquid chromatography showed that Glycyrrhiza glabra contains 10 % Glycyrrhizin, Piper longum contains 7 % Piperine, Curcuma longa contains 82.41 % Curcumin and Adhatoda vasica contains 2.3 % Vasicine. In vitro activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Piper longum and Curcuma longa showed 20 mm, 16 mm and 14 mm of maximum Zone of inhibition respectively. Adhatoda vasica did not show any activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis. The present study demonstrates that the selected plant extracts have the potential to inhibit mycobacterial growth. Thus, these standardized herbal extracts could be used in the design and development of a polyherbal formulation for the treatment of primary stage tuberculosis.