PHARMACOGNOSTICAL INVESTIGATION OF PURITY OF ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS ROOTS

The pharmaceutical market of the Russian Federation receives medicines produced both in compliance with the international standards of good manufacturing practice and those coming from developing countries where manufacturers operate according to their national regulations. Asparagus racemosus is a medicinal plant that is widely used in oriental medicine and is included in the Ayurvedic pharmacopeia. The plant, among others contains steroid saponins, isoflavones, and polysaccharides. The roots of Asparagus racemosus are used as a phytoestrogen in disorders of the hormonal system by women. The plant is also known for its antioxidant, immunostimulating, and anti-inflammatory effects. The Russian State Pharmacopoeia (RSP), XIII edition does not include this plant species. However, medicinal plant raw materials (MPRM) and remedies based on them do enter the Russian pharmaceutical market. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to determine the quality and safety of raw Asparagus racemosus. We determinedsuch parameters of quality and safety as: extractive values i.e. alcohol soluble and water soluble; ash values: total ash, ash insoluble in 10% hydrochloric acid (HCl); moisture content value; heavy metals and pesticides residues. The obtained results can be used for quality control of remedies based on the Asparagus racemosus roots.