Elemental Analysis of Ash and Physico-Chemical Evaluation of Abutilon indicum Linn. - An Important Medicinal Plant

Present studies were carried out to screen Abutilon indicum Linn. (Malvaceae), for the point of view of its mineral analysis. The Plant had found throughout tropical and subtropical regions. The plant was mentioned in Indian Meteria medica which is commonly used in the indigenous system of medicine under the name "Atibala" in various ailments. The plant is used to treat various types of ailments and diseases such as neurological disorders, epistaxis and heart diseases as astringent, diuretic demulcent, in rheumatism and post delivery complaints in cattle. Leaves are used in toothache as demulcent, in gonorrhoea inflammation and wounds for stomachache, diabetes, diarrhoea, hydrococle Jaundice, boil, piles headache as a tonic in rheumatism and as an antipyretic agent. Elemental analysis indicated that plant had the sufficient presence of minerals. The nine elements Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Co, Mn and Ni were determined in all parts of plant ash. The present investigation of mineral elements was carried out using AAS&ICP techniques. While some physico-chemical parameters viz. physical state, colour, taste, total ash content, ash value (water, acid and alcohol soluble), pH and moisture content were also studied. It showed the presence of different minerals, which can be suggested for therapeutic efficacy and vitality as dietary supplement.