US EPA

8407016 

Journal Article 

Identification and characterization of Ratanjot (Arnebia nobilis Reichb.f.) 

Arora, A; Gulrajani, ML; Gupta, D 

2009 

8 

2 

142-145 

English 

In literature, the vernacular name Ratanjot is attributed to at least 15 plant species of four different families. Taxonomic analysis revealed that true Ratanjot comprises of the crude rootstocks of the planl Arnebia nobilis Reichb.f. Interestingly, this material, though abundantly available in India, is not indigenous to this country but imported from Afghanistan. Macroscopic analysis of authenticated sample showed the material to be in the form of purple brown roots which are fusiform, twisted, covered with papery layers and have a pungent odour. Under SEM, the adaxial surface showed the presence of epidermal cells with stomata and epicuticular wax secretions whereas, abaxial surface showed only elongated epidermal cells. The powdered roots gave orangish brown colour with concentrated nitric acid and bright red colour with acetic acid during chemical identification. TLC analysis of the n-hexane extract showed the presence of five red and pink components. Shikonin was identified as one of the components; however, it is not the major component. 

Arnebia nobilis; Chemical analysis; Macroscopic; Microscopic; Ratanjot; TLC analysis